Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has commended Abia-born immigration officer, Ugochukwu Orji, for rejecting a N10 million bribe while on duty.
The governor stated that the officer would be celebrated by Abia State in due course for his honesty.
Governor Otti urged the officer not to be discouraged by people mocking him for rejecting the bribe, describing such talks as “foolish.”
According to Otti, “What you did is typical of us. Just like the gentleman who returned a huge sum of money and we celebrated him, so, we will celebrate you also.”
He added, “Ten million Naira is a lot of money, and you could do so much with it, but you rejected it. And, you rejected it because it is not earned…”
Otti encouraged the officer to continue serving in a straightforward manner, holding on to the example he has shown.
The governor expressed surprise that some people are mocking the immigration officer for not collecting the bribe from a suspected ritualist at Seme Border.
Otti emphasized, “It is foolish to think that you can cheat your way out and then become a big man tomorrow. No! Whatever you get illegally, somehow, someday, somewhere, you will lose and pay for it.”