Two Chinese nationals have been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for offering a N100 million bribe to the head of its Sokoto Zonal Office and his team.
The two men are named Meng Wei Kun and Xu Kuoi, and they are identified with China Zhounghao Nigeria Limited, a construction company.
Kun and Kuoi were arrested in a well coordinated operation that lasted four days.
Abdullahi Lawal, the head of the Sokoto Zonal Office of the EFCC, paraded the suspects on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, revealing to newsmen that the duo offered him and his team the bribe to compromise an ongoing investigation into their company.
On May 7, 2020, I was contacted by Mr. Meng Wei Kun, Managing Director, China Zhounghao Nig. Ltd. in respect of an ongoing investigation against their company.
I and my investigating team were offered the sum of one hundred million naira to compromise the case.
Four days after a series of discussion, it was agreed that I come for half of the money, which was ready at their office/residence along Airport Road, Kasarawa, Sokoto.
In a well-coordinated operation with a team of operatives, Mr. Meng Wei Kun and Mr. Xu Kuoi were arrested while giving the bribe to me at the above address. In the process, the sum of fifty million naira, three laptops, five smartphones and some relevant documents were seized.”
Mr. Lawal explained that the company is currently being investigated by the EFCC over alleged offences of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation, diversion of public funds and money laundering.
The case involves N50 billion worth of contracts awarded to the company by the Zamfara State Government between the period of 2012 and 2019 when the company received a payment of over N41 billion and allegedly diverted over N16 billion.
Lawal stated that the two Chinese nationals would be charged to court when investigations were finished.
