Nigerian Anti-Corruption Chief Embroiled in High-Profile Bribegate Scandal: A Dramatic Account from the Heart of Abuja
Four senior police officers have been arrested and are facing disciplinary proceedings for allegedly attempting to extort a bribe of 53,000 naira (£45) from Musa Aliyu, the chief of Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The brazen attempt took place last Saturday at an unauthorised roadblock in Abuja, where Mr Aliyu was coerced into withdrawing the large sum from a cash machine.
According to Commissioner Ahmed Sanusi, the officers are accused of abandoning their official duties to set up the illegal checkpoint. Their actions sparked a swift response from authorities, with an "intelligence-driven operation" being launched in response to Mr Aliyu's report of the incident. This has led to the apprehension of an alleged ringleader and subsequently three other suspects.
In a candid interview with BBC Hausa, Mr Aliyu described the harrowing experience, recounting how he was flagged down on a busy road by one of the officers. The policeman demanded his driver's licence before allegedly threatening to take him to court for minor traffic violations, but then offered a more 'convenient' solution – a £45 payment to avoid a potentially hefty fine of 52,000 naira.
Mr Aliyu explained that he had initially offered to transfer the money digitally, but the officer refused, insisting on the cash withdrawal. He was directed to a nearby ATM where he reluctantly complied with the demand, withdrawing the requested amount. The national police chief has roundly condemned the officers' alleged conduct, issuing a stark warning that abuses of power will no longer be tolerated within the force.
Commissioner Sanusi underscored the severity of the situation, stating, "You have to choose: either a policeman or a thief. You cannot be both. If you fail to choose, your actions will determine where you belong." While cases like this rarely proceed to court in Nigeria, with internal police disciplinary procedures typically being the main course of action, this high-profile scandal has left many wondering if justice will finally be served.