Bogotá, September 17 (teleSUR-RHC)-- After three months of investigation, former president of the Colombian Supreme Court, Jorge Pretelt, was accused Wednesday of bribery and of favoring the interests of the Fidupetrol oil company.

The investigative committee of the lower house of congress will now decide whether to approve the report by legislative lawyer Julian Bedoya. If the lawmakers decide to go ahead, it would be the first time in Colombian history a magistrate is accused of any wrongdoing.

Bedoya explained it took six months of investigations, the gathering of 25 testimonies and 13 police reports to put together a conclusive case against the former Supreme Court president.

“We now have the sufficient conclusive evidence to formally accuse the former president of the court of asking for money or bribes and to benefit the interests of the oil firm Fidupetrol”, Bedoya told

“We analyzed 13 police reports that contained phone calls, emails and important documented evidence. After all this and a full investigation, we can now inform Colombians and public opinion that we have fulfilled all formal requirements in substantial form to accuse judge Jorge Ignacio Pretelt Chaljub of being legally responsible for the crime of extortion,” Bedoya said before the Investigative and Accusatory Committee of the lower house of Congress.

Pretelt is allegedly responsible for soliciting a $200,000 bribe from a Fidupetrol oil company lawyer. Fidupetrol paid the bribe in hopes of seeing a US$9-million fine overturned.

His wife, Martha Ligia Patron, is also facing legal challenges. She has been summoned for questioning regarding land she possesses, and which was allegedly acquired after people occupying those lands were forcibly removed by Colombian paramilitaries.