Two Nigerian nationals sentenced for offering bribe to SAPS officer

Katlego Sekhu

Two Nigerian nationals have been sentenced by the Bellville Regional Court to a R15 000 fine or three years’ imprisonment.
The men were involved in an attempted bribe of a SAPS officer.
Both men were declared unfit to possess firearms.

The Bellville Regional Court has sentenced two men, Livinus Okechukwu Ndukuba (44) and Cletus Obiwuru (53), to a fine of R15 000 or three years’ imprisonment after they both entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the State.

In addition to the sentence, both men were declared unfit to possess a firearm.

According to the investigation, Obiwuru was on trial for drug dealing when Ndukuba, who served as an interpreter during the proceedings, approached a South African Police Service (SAPS) officer involved in the case.

Ndukuba arranged a meeting between Obiwuru and the officer, during which an attempt was made to offer a bribe.

The matter was reported to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), who launched an operation confirming that Obiwuru had offered the investigating officer R15 000 to alter his testimony.

Both men were subsequently arrested following the undercover operation.

Authorities have commended the swift action of law enforcement officers in maintaining the integrity of the justice system and warned that corruption within or around the judicial process will not be tolerated.