ICPC drags doctor to court for demanding N320,000 bribe before surgery

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on Monday, arraigned a former Consultant Cardio-thoracic Surgeon in the Department of Surgery, University Of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu, Professor Martin Aghaji, over an alleged bribe.

Aghaji was arraigned before Justice R. O. Odugu of a Federal High Court sitting in Enugu, on a 4-count charge of allegedly demanding and receiving bribe in the course of his official duties.
The accused, sometime in 2003 while being a public officer, had allegedly used his position as a Consultant Cardio-thoracic Surgeon at UNTH Enugu, to demand N320, 000 and received N70, 000, before he could carry out a surgical operation on one late Francis Ebeogbodi, which he never did before the patient passed on.

The judge said investigations have shown that although it is unethical for doctors in public service to demand and accept money before performing their official duties, the accused had allegedly done so.

The charges bordered on administrative corruption, extortion and conferring corrupt advantages on himself, which violate Sections 8 and 19 and are punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

He was granted N500, 000 bail on self-recognition and the case was adjourned till August 20 for mention.