Two arrested for offering Arua police officer sh2 million bribe

ARUA, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Two individuals have been apprehended for attempting to bribe the Officer-in-Charge of the Criminal Investigation Division (OC CID) at the Arua District Central Police Station in Odumi, in an effort to evade investigation into a murder case.

The suspects, identified as Annet Ajikia and Brian Nyakuta, both residents of Nyio Village, Nyio Parish, Vurra Sub County in Arua District, were arrested on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

They were caught attempting to bribe the officer in charge of criminal investigations, Japher Kalinaki, with two million Ugandan Shillings to obstruct a murder case and secure the release of their relative, Innocent Onzima, who was detained on Friday in connection with the murder of his brother, Alido Arijole.

Josephine Angucia, the Police Spokesperson for the West Nile region, stated that the suspects have been transferred to Arua City Central Division and are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday to face charges of bribing a police officer.

She added that the murder suspect, Onzima, has also been taken to Arua City Central Division for medical evaluation to determine his mental state.

In the police report, it was revealed that Alido Arijole was killed on December 17, 2023, allegedly by a group of clan members led by Innocent Onzima, who accused him of acquiring wealth through illicit means.

After the murder, the clan members destroyed the victim’s property before fleeing to seek refuge in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Following the transfer of the former OC CID, Moses Maloba, who was handling the murder case, Onzima and other suspects returned to Uganda, leading to their apprehension by the police.

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