EFCC probes judge over N10b bribe in Igbinedion’s trial
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission {EFCC} is probing a judge who has been allegedly paid N10 billion as bribe to pervert the course of justice in the corruption trial of the former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion.
Commission’s spokesperson, Mr. Femi Babafemi confirmed the development.
Igbinedion, his younger brother, associates and companies were recently charged before Justice Adamu Hobon of the Federal High Court, Benin for allegedly stealing N25 billion public funds when Igbinedion was governor between 1999 and 2007.
Babafemi, who confirmed that a judge was being investigated, was silent on the identity of the suspect.
He, however, disclosed that the commission’s chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri had ordered an immediate investigation after a whistle-blower intimated the commission of the alleged crime.
She was said to have, last Thursday, constituted a team of operatives to look into the allegation against the judge.
The team which was put together in the Lagos office of the Commission had reportedly begun to obtain further information on the bank accounts and assets of the judge as well as those of his family members, friends and associates.
Expository bank documents were also said to be in the custody of the investigative team, with the movement of the alleged bribe money said to have been traced to motley of cronies of an accused person in the trial.
The on-going trial of the former governor was a fresh trial, independent of the former which led to his conviction.
Babafemi noted that the Commission had a responsibility to investigate every information given by whistle blowers or any patriotic Nigerian.
Meanwhile, the Commission said it refused to succumb to the pressure of defreezing the bank accounts of former Intercontinental Bank CEO, Erastus Akingbola in the United Kingdom, because such concession would jeopardise its case against the accused person in court.
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