Edith Uduma, a policewoman in Edo State who was recently dismissed by the force for her role in a sexual assault incident involving Abraham Uzuobor, her colleague, has described her demand for a N1 million bribe for the case to be buried as a “sarcastic gesture”.

Uduma made the remark in an interview with The Punch on Saturday when she was asked why she asked her colleague to pay her the sum.

“There was nothing like that. This is why I say we should make this case open. I don’t want the police to investigate this matter again; we should bring this case to light on national television, and I need the people making the allegation to explain how I collected money. I remember when making statements, nothing like N1 million was mentioned there,” Uduma said.

READ ALSO: AUDIO: How Dismissed Edo Cop Edith Uduma Demanded N1m From Rapist Colleague to Bury Case

The dismissed officer then went on to talk about how the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of her station did not want the matter to become public knowledge.

“Upon my arrival at the station, the DPO questioned my reason for making an entry despite her instructions, but I told her that as a police officer, I had to make an entry. She asked me to call Abraham because she heard that Abraham had offered me some money, but I refused. I told her I couldn’t collect money. People who know me are aware that my police work is different. I’m not just saying all these things because this happened. I won’t see any evil and cover it up. That is why I must get justice in this matter,” Uduma said in the interview.

“When I called Abraham, he insisted that I accept money to cover up the incident, but I refused. After much pleading, I sarcastically told him to bring N1 million in cash to the station, knowing fully well that he didn’t have that kind of money. He responded by saying he was on his way.”

Interestingly, FIJ had published the audio conversation on Thursday proving Uduma demanded N1 million from Uzuobor. Contrary to the policewoman’s claim of sarcasm, her comments in the recorded conversation included threats.

THE DEMAND FOR N1 MILLION

On October 8,  Uduma called Uzuobor saying she had learnt of his plot to be freed, and angrily demanding for a N1 million bribe in cash, so “she could look away”.

On the phone, she said in Pidgin English, “All your plans, make dem release you today, I don hear am. If you no want make me and you get issue, make you give me that N1 million wey me and you talk.

“I don tell you, make you give me that N1 million. Cash o, na cash I want. If no be like that, I go come this morning, I go tell madam this morning, as I tell madam, I dey go Area Command, and as I tell Area Command, I dey call PA for Benin. Make I just tell you say I get that contact.

READ ALSO: Edo Policeman ‘Rapes’ Girl in Benin Police Station

“I dey tell you, e get one group wey I dey, ask my husband, na Force PPRO de control am. I go post this thing there, and write everything there. You know I don interview that girl, I go write everything there. That foul play wey you wan play, no use me play. That movement wey you want make dem release you today, e no go work. Bye-bye.”

The two recordings FIJ listened to confirmed that Uzuobor planned to appear at work to negotiate a bribe, and Uduma mentioned reporting to the DPO in a bid to threaten her colleague.

THE RAPE INCIDENT

On October 7, Uzuobor took a 17-year-old female inmate out of custody, and then attempted to molest her before Uduma caught him. Prior to the incident, Uzuobor had stolen Uduma’s charge room keys in order to perpetrate the act.

The incident happened while both officers served at South Ebie Police Division in Edo.

After first receiving a N45,000 payment from Uzuobor to not make the matter become public knowledge, Uduma eventually exposed her colleague when she knew extorting an additional N1 million payment from him had become a tall order.

READ ALSO: 4 Months on, NPF Still Quiet About ‘Rapist Policeman’ Owolabi Akinolu’s Probe

Both Uzuobor and Uduma were eventually dismissed by the police for their roles in the incident.

Ibrahim Mohammed, Uduma’s husband, was also demoted to the rank of a corporal for the part he played in the extortion scheme.