Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have arrested a Magistrates’ Court judge in Enugu, for allegedly demanding and receiving a bribe from a surety.
The judge, Joseph Sunday Edeh, of the Enugu North local government council Magistrates’ Court, was brought to the commission’s headquarters on Friday for interrogation.
A statement by the ICPC, signed by head, Public Enlightenment Department, Mr. Mike Sowe, said the sting operation was carried out, following a petition from a citizen who is standing as a surety for two suspects in the magistrate’s jurisdiction. The petitioner alleged that after granting bail to the two suspects, the magistrate demanded for N500,000 as “settlement”. An initial N100,000 was paid into the judge’s account, in addition to another payment of N50,000 cash, which he collected from the surety.
It was reported that in his determination to collect more money, the judge continued to pester, harass and intimidate the surety, who finally decided to report the matter to the ICPC.
The commission then dispatched some operatives with N50,000 marked notes, which the magistrate received and was promptly arrested.
According to the ICPC, the magistrate will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.