Sokoto Zonal Head of Operations
of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Abdullahi Lawal, has
revealed how two Chinese citizens, Meng Wei Kun and Xu Kuai offered him N50
million bribe on behalf of a construction company China Zhonghao Nigeria. Ltd.
He testified on Wednesday before
Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa at the Sokoto State High Court, sitting in
Sokoto
The firm is being investigated
over contracts it was awarded by the Zamfara State Government to the tune of
N60 billion between 2012 and 2019.
The bribe was allegedly offered
to compromise an ongoing investigation by the EFCC.
Lawal, while being led in evidence
by the EFCC counsel, S. H Sa’ad, recalled that on May 8 in his at No. 7 Super
Quarters, off Sama Road, Sokoto, the 1st defendant, Mr Meng Wei Kum called him.
“He said he was in Sokoto for the
purpose of arranging N100 million for me, and everything will be ready by
Monday, being May 11, 2020. Instantly, I called the EFCC Ag. Executive
Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu and told him about what was happening, and that I
will arrest the 1st defendant at the time of delivering the money. He gave me
the approval.
“On Monday, at about 3pm, the 1st
defendant called and informed me that the money was ready and that he was only
able to raise N50 million due to the lockdown and that a balance of N50 million
will be given at a later date. I said okay, no problem.
“He informed me that I should
come for the money in the night at their office near Sokoto State University,
along airport road, Kasarawa Village. I said I didn’t know the office. The 1st
defendant said he will wait for me at Sokoto State University gate. After the
discussion, I arranged a group of operatives and kept them on standby.
“Around 9pm, he sent me a text
message that they were already there. In order to test how serious he was, I
sent him a text message that he should leave it until tomorrow. He replied that
I should come because the money was with them in cash and they didn’t want the
money to sleep with them overnight for security reasons.
“He said that they were already
at the university gate. I said okay, I will get back to them. I called the
officers that I arranged for the operation to come and meet me. They came in
two vehicles and met me along Airport Road. I told them I will first go, and
after 15-20 minutes, they should come and meet me at their office where the
money will be given.
“Upon our arrival at the office
premises, Mr Meng (the 1st defendant) asked me to pack behind a truck that was
at the front of a building. Meng said the truck was packed so that the people
in the other building would not see what was happening. He brought out keys and
opened the door and three of us, including the 2nd defendant entered into a
parlour and I was given a seat and we all sat down and I was even offered
water.
“Mr Meng welcomed me and
introduced Mr. Xu Kuai, the 2nd defendant and asked me when they were going to
get a clearance? I asked him which clearance? He replied with a clearance
certificate showing that they had been cleared by the EFCC. I told him you
haven’t finished the job and you were asking for a clearance. He said they will
do the job. He now said I should come and see the money.
“As we entered, I saw cartons of
Sona bottled water filled with cash in Naira. The 1st defendant said, “Alhaji
this is your money” I asked how much, “He said its N50 million” I said bring it
out and I observed that there are seven cartons. They brought it out to the
parlour and in order to gain time for the arrival of my men, I said the money
should be counted to confirm it.
“I told them to bring out all the
money and count it out. The money was counted, it was N50 million and then, we
returned it inside the cartons and sellotaped and sealed by the 2nd defendant.
They also offered to move the cartons into my car. I agreed but seeing that my
men had not still arrived, I decided to sit them down and discuss.
“I asked them when they would
give me the balance, how long would it take? Mr Meng said very soon but after
the lockdown because there are shortages of cash. He again asked about the
clearance. I told him to arrange for the balance first. At that stage, we heard
a knock on the door. The 1st defendant rushed to the door and I followed him
and asked who was knocking on the door.
“Mr Meng tried to lock the door,
but I pushed him and opened the door. My men came in and arrested the two of
them and searched all the rooms and the premises and counted the money under
video coverage. During the search, three laptops and documents were recovered.
Everything was documented.
“We now went with the two
defendants, N50 million and the other items recovered during the search and
also a black jeep. The N50 million was packed in two denominations of N500
Naira note of N10 million and N1000 naira note of N40 million arranged in seven
cartoons of Sona table.”
They were identified and tendered
by the prosecution through Lawal (PW2).
The proceedings were not opposed
by the defence counsel, A. T Hassan.
The money was tendered and
admitted as exhibits by the court.
Justice Sifawa adjourned the case
to August, 10, 11 and 12, 2020 for the continuation of trial.
He ordered that the money be kept
in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sokoto for safekeeping.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com