Former EFCC zonal head praised for rejecting ₦50M bribe from Chinese nationals

Ima Elijah 14:10 - 30 April 2023

Meng Wei Kun and Xu Kuai tried to bribe an EFCC officer with ₦50 million [The Sun News]

ACCN have called on Nigerian police authorities to reward a former Sokoto State Zonal Head of the EFCC, Abdullahi Lawal, for rejecting a ₦50 million bribe from two Chinese officials

Kaduna-based independent corruption fighters, the Anti-Corruption Crusaders Network (ACCN), have called on Nigerian police authorities to reward a former Sokoto State Zonal Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdullahi Lawal, for rejecting a ₦50 million bribe from two Chinese officials.

The group praised Lawal as a patriotic and honest police officer whose actions had dispelled negative perceptions of police officers.

They further noted that Nigeria needs more officers like him to fight against corruption in the country.

In a statement to newsmen, the ACCN said, “The Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal had found Mr Meng Wei Kun and Mr Xu Kuai guilty of two of three-count charges that included conspiracy, money laundering, and attempted bribery to the tune of N50 Million brought against them by the EFCC.”

The group commended the judiciary for upholding the truth and ensuring that the Chinese men were convicted. They emphasised the importance of recognising officers like Abdullahi Lawal, who serve their country with dedication and patriotism.

The ACCN’s statement also stressed the need to reward officers like Lawal, who served as a role model to junior-ranking officers. “Rewarding officers like him will serve as motivation for other junior-ranking officers to emulate him,” the statement added.

The culprits

Lawal’s rejection of the bribe reportedly led to the arrest and eventual conviction of the two Chinese officials. According to reports, the two men attempted to bribe Lawal with ₦50 million in exchange for halting their investigation by the EFCC.

Following the Court of Appeal judgment that sentenced the two Chinese officials to prison for their offences on March 31, 2023, the ACCN leader, Shehu Abubakar, stated that Lawal should be given a special promotion from the highest police authorities for his patriotism and honesty.