The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday probed the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muiz Banire over alleged bribery of a judge, Punch reports.

It was gathered that the former Lagos State Commissioner of Transportation reportedly transferred N500,000 to Justice Terseer Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court.

It was also learnt that his passport was seized and was released on bail.

A source said, “While detectives were probing Justice Fishim’s account, they discovered that Banire deposited money into the judge’s account. So, we invited him and he did not deny it. He only said the money was not a bribe.

“Banire was quizzed by the EFCC for several hours and his passport was seized from him. He will return for more questioning as investigations continue.”

While speaking to Punch before he was invited by the EFCC, Banire had admitted to giving the said sum to the judge, but claimed it was not a bribe.

Banire said the judge who is an old friend asked him for help when he was broke.

Banire wrote, “Thank you for clarification sought. I have no official relationship with the said judge. I have never appeared before him in any matter and in fact, in my entire professional career, I have only recently a month ago appeared at the industrial court before a separate judge.

“He was an old friend in the 90s, who only called me up some years back to seek financial assistance due to his mother’s death. Beyond that, I have not seen him in the last 17 years.”

Azeez