How Police Officer Rejected N. 3m Bribe Offered By Fake Lawyer To Escape Trial

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A disciplined Police officer attached to Sharia Court in Zamfara State has refused N300,000 bribe offered by a 46-year old fake lawyer, Chukwuka Jude, in order to escape trial for false presentation, cheating and impersonation in Court. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports as disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu at the Police Command Headquarters at Gusau, Zamfara State.

The identity of the Police officer, who rejected the bribe, was not disclosed but the suspect, Jude, was among the suspected criminal elements paraded on 24th January, 2022, who were arrested at various areas in the state.

The Police spokesman, SP Shehu, stated that exhibits recovered from the suspect, Jude, included fake plastic ID card, stamp and letter headed papers carrying the name of his chamber titled J.N Monyei & Co. Chamber.

Shehu stated: “On 18th January, 2022, at about 1630hrs, the Zamfara State Police Command received a complaint from the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Zamfara State Chapter, that on same date, one Chukwuka Jude ‘M’ a 46yrs old was caught inside the Higher Sharia Court T/Wada Gusau, falsely acting as a lawyer to a client. Police detectives promptly arrested the suspect and brought him to the SCID Gusau for discreet investigation”. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect has been putting up appearances in different Courts at K/Namoda, B/Magaji, Shinkafi and Gusau LGAs, where he was finally arrested for standing as a counsel to unsuspecting litigants for fees.” 
“Prior to his arrest, the suspect deceived one of his victims, who resides in Kuraje village under Damba District of Gusau LGA, by representing the victim at Higher Sharia Court III Gusau as a counsel, where he charged the sum of N100,000 for the service fees, out of which he collected N23,000 as part payment.”

“To further support the allegation, the suspect in a bid to escape arrest and prosecution offered the sum of three hundred thousand Naira (N300,000) as bribe to our Court duty Police officer who instantly rejected the offer.” 
“Exhibits recovered included, ID card of fake Law firms N.J Monyei & Co. Chamber, office stamp and letter headed papers of same fake firm. Suspect will be charged to Court for prosecution on completion of the investigation” the Police Spokesperson concluded.