The government, for instance, promises that its officials will not take bribes and that they will give all bidders a fair chance.

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The BBC's Bashir Abdullahi in Abuja says as it is illegal to give as well as take bribes in Nigeria, some people have asked why Mr Otedola is not also facing any legal action.

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And I am telling you that federal judges do not take bribes and I am telling you that I have never bribed anyone in my life and I sure as hell am not going to do it now on your case.

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Mr. Dimora's attorneys said their client didn't take any bribes and was only helping constituents navigate the maze of county government.

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They are among a raft of new regulations, which also include provision for sacking police officers who accept bribes, organise or take part in strikes and protest marches.

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Olmert has admitted accepting donations, mostly in cash, from an American businessman for his election campaigns since the nineteen-nineties, but he insisted that he did not take any money for his personal use, and denied allegations that he had accepted bribes.

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Once the checks are collected, participants in the fraud take them to bank tellers or employees at money-service locations who often have taken bribes, according to court documents submitted in several cases.

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Indeed, as many Burmese went to pains to remind me, if "ordinary things" are generally associated with the corruption of those in authority, "ordinary people" include those who agree to pay the bribes, not complain, even looking for their own opportunities to exchange give for take.

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Rukha bribes these parents to send their kids to school, by promising them an equivalent income if they take their children off the street.

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