ICPC Honours DPO For Rejecting N2m Bribes

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences
Commission (ICPC) has honoured the Itam Divisional Police Officer
(DPO), Francis Erhabor, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), for
rejecting N2 million bribes.

The commission’s Uyo Zonal Chairman, Mr. Shola Shodipe,
presented the award to Erhabor.

The ICPC chief said the awardee was carefully selected for his
track record of integrity and honesty.

He said: “While serving in Edo State, Erhabor refused a N1.5
million bribe as a pipeline commander. He also refused a bribe of
N500,000 from a subordinate to allow adulterated petroleum product
into the state. For these and other acts of integrity, he has been
given several awards.”

A board member of the commission, Dr. Grace China, who
represented ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said the essence
of the award was to encourage other public servants to uphold
integrity, diligence and jettison any form of graft and
corruption.

Erhabor said he took a decision to imbibe honesty and eschew any
form of corruption when he joined the police force 30 years
ago.

The DPO said he told God to expose and disgrace him, if he took
bribe or collected any form of gratification.

He added that though his vow made things difficult for him, it
remained his watch word and guide.

“One legacy my dad left behind before his demise was that a good
name has better fragrance than an expensive perfume. I have always
worked for that reputation and I really want to thank God. It
wasn’t really an easy decision.

“Integrity does not come without a prize. But I want to say that
the prize I am receiving today is the prize of the good path I have
taken,” Erhabor said.

Also rewarded by the commission were Oghene Whisky, from
Topfaith International Secondary School, who took second position
in the ICPC essay competition for the junior category; Noble John
Pedro, from Government Secondary School, Eket, who came third in
the senior category of the essay competition; Juliet Mfon Dick,
from Topfaith Legacy College, who came third in the junior category
and Uche Williams, a music artiste.

For the students, the ICPC boss noted that the aim was to
inculcate anti-corruption spirit into the consciousness of the
young people, he called on them to continue to champion the fight
against corruption in their respective schools in order to make
Nigeria a better society.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences
Commission (ICPC) has honoured the Itam Divisional Police Officer
(DPO), Francis Erhabor, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), for
rejecting N2 million bribes.

The commission’s Uyo Zonal Chairman, Mr. Shola Shodipe,
presented the award to Erhabor.

The ICPC chief said the awardee was carefully selected for his
track record of integrity and honesty.

He said: “While serving in Edo State, Erhabor refused a N1.5
million bribe as a pipeline commander. He also refused a bribe of
N500,000 from a subordinate to allow adulterated petroleum product
into the state. For these and other acts of integrity, he has been
given several awards.”

A board member of the commission, Dr. Grace China, who
represented ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said the essence
of the award was to encourage other public servants to uphold
integrity, diligence and jettison any form of graft and
corruption.

Erhabor said he took a decision to imbibe honesty and eschew any
form of corruption when he joined the police force 30 years
ago.

The DPO said he told God to expose and disgrace him, if he took
bribe or collected any form of gratification.

He added that though his vow made things difficult for him, it
remained his watch word and guide.

“One legacy my dad left behind before his demise was that a good
name has better fragrance than an expensive perfume. I have always
worked for that reputation and I really want to thank God. It
wasn’t really an easy decision.

“Integrity does not come without a prize. But I want to say that
the prize I am receiving today is the prize of the good path I have
taken,” Erhabor said.

Also rewarded by the commission were Oghene Whisky, from
Topfaith International Secondary School, who took second position
in the ICPC essay competition for the junior category; Noble John
Pedro, from Government Secondary School, Eket, who came third in
the senior category of the essay competition; Juliet Mfon Dick,
from Topfaith Legacy College, who came third in the junior category
and Uche Williams, a music artiste.

For the students, the ICPC boss noted that the aim was to
inculcate anti-corruption spirit into the consciousness of the
young people, he called on them to continue to champion the fight
against corruption in their respective schools in order to make
Nigeria a better society.