ALLEGED TRAFFICKER CHARGED FOR ATTEMPTING TO CORRUPT HAWKS INVESTIGATOR
GAUTENG – A 41-year-old suspect will appear in the Pretoria Central Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 09 June 2023 to face an additional charge of corruption. He was allegedly linked to attempts made in luring an incorruptible Hawks detective to overlook overwhelming evidence on his previous charges.
The suspect was initially arrested in Sunnyside Pretoria for charges of trafficking in persons and drug dealing in December 2021. The Hawks investigation revealed that the suspect whilst in custody, reportedly colluded with his two brothers and wife, Emeka Ogoke (52), Ikeani Okechukwu (36) and Rethabile Ikeani (34) to pay a gratification fee to secure his release.
A sting operation was on 31 August 2022 executed by members of the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) together with members from the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) based in Pretoria. This resulted in the arrest of the trio at a restaurant in Arcadia, Pretoria, attempting to give the Hawks’ detective officer a gratuity amount of R20 000. The other accused were released on R2000 bail on 01 September 2022.
The Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) additionally charged the awaiting trial detainee on Friday, 02 June 2023. He will be appearing along with his alleged accomplices on Friday, 09 June 2023.
