The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has apprehended two Chinese nationals for allegedly offering bribe to the head of its Sokoto zonal office and his investigating team.
The Chinese, Meng Wei Kun and Xu Kuoi of China Zhounghao Nigeria Limited, a construction company, were arrested in an operation that lasted four days.
Parading the suspects on Tuesday, the zonal office head, Abdullahi Lawal, told newsmen the duo offered him and his investigating team the sum of one million naira to compromise him in an ongoing investigation into the company’s operations.
“On May 7, 2020, I was contacted by the Managing Director, China Zhounghao Nig. Ltd, Mr Meng Wei Kun, in respect of an ongoing investigation against their company. I and my investigating team were offered the sum of N100m to compromise the case.
“Four days after series of discussions, it was agreed that I should come for half of the money, which was ready at their office/residence, along Airport Road, Kasarawa, Sokoto.
“In a well coordinated operation with a team of operatives, Mr Meng Wei Kun and Mr Xu Kuoi, were arrested while giving the bribe money to me at the above address. In the process, the sum of N50m, three laptops, five smart phones and some relevant documents were recovered,” the EFCC zonal head narrated.
When investigations are concluded, the duo will be charged to face prosecution in court.
Lawal further explained that China Zhounghao Nig. Ltd was being investigated by the EFCC, Sokoto zonal office, over alleged offences of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation, diversion of public funds and money laundering.
The money involved the sum of over N50bn contracts awarded to the company by the Zamfara State Government between 2012 and 2019,