ENUGU – The Registrar of a Magistrate Court in Enugu State, Anikwu Ambrose Ifesinachi, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment without an option of fine for demanding bribe in the course of discharging his official duties.
He was guilty of receiving the sum of N80,000 from one Arukwe Charles purportedly for Chief Magistrate J.S Ede.
Ifesinachi, according to Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), demanded the bribe of N80, 000.00 from the relation of a suspect before he would process the warrant of release of the suspect who was in custody for about two years.
After persistent demand, the relation approached ICPC and the Commission who gave him marked money to remit to him, as soon as the accused collected the money from the relation, he was arrested by the operatives of the ICPC.
Consequently, the accused was charged on two counts for demanding and receiving bribe under the ICPC Act in the High Court of Enugu.
At the close of the case, ICPC filed their final written address on 29th January 2014 which was adopted.
Finally the Judge reached a verdict, after the case had suffered series of adjournments, the Accused was discharged on Count 1 but was convicted on count 2 and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment without option of fine.