The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two human rights activists for allegedly demanding a bribe from Wahum Nigeria Limited.
The President of the Path of Peace Initiatives, Dandy Eze, and one Solomon Johnson, sometime in 2018, approached Wahum Nigeria Limited to ask for N50million to help facilitate the withdrawal of a petition written against the company, which they claimed was being investigated by the EFCC.
It was gathered that when the letter allegedly written by the activists was investigated by the EFCC, it was discovered that the suspects had solicited a bribe from Wahum Nigeria Limited.
The sum of N1million had already been collected by the duo as part payment through a First Bank account number 3081329952 operated by Mr Johnson.
They were arraigned before a Lagos State Special Offences Court on four counts bordering on conspiracy to commit felony and acceptance of bribe to the tune of N50million.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of their plea, the prosecuting counsel, George Chia-Yakua, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.
However, counsel for the defendants, Terry Adeniji, told the court that he had just been briefed about the case.
Mr Adeniji, therefore, asked the court for a short date to enable him to file a proper bail application.
He also prayed the court to remand the defendants in the EFCC custody.
In his response, Mr Chia-Yakua urged the court to refuse the prayer of the defence counsel to remand the defendants in the EFCC custody.
The presiding judge, Mojisola Dada, adjourned the matter till February 14 and 15, 2019, for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
She, thereafter, remanded the suspects in prison custody.
