DEVELOPING NEWS
The Abuja High Court sitting at Apo on Tuesday sentenced Farouk Lawan, the former Chairman of then-House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on Fuel Subsidy probe to 7 years in prison after 8 year legal tussle. This was following his conviction on three counts bothering on bribery and corruption.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Sometimes in April 2012, the said Farouk Lawan was accused of corruptly obtained the sum of $500,000 (five hundred thousand dollars) for yourself from Mr. Femi Otedola, the Chairman Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd as an inducement to remove the name of Zenon petroleum gas ltd from the report of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee on Monitoring of fuel subsidy regime.
While Farouk Lawan was the chairman of the of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee on Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy Regime, Mr. Emenalo Boniface was the secretary and was also charged for the same offences as Farouk Lawan.
The bribe was intended to clear Mr. Otedolas`s company in the fuel subsidy probe initiated in 2012 by the House of Representative.
Farouk Lawan was as at then a four-term lawmaker representing Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency of Kano State.
BASIC FACTS
- The duo of Farouk Lawan and Mr. Emenalo Boniface were accused of asking for the sum of $3,000,000 (three million US dollars) from Mr. Femi Otedola, the Chairman Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd
- Farouk Lawan was cut on audio speaking with Mr. Femi Otedola confirming the receipt of a deposit of $500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand US dollars) from Mr. Femi Otedola.
- Farouk Lawan was handed 7 years each for counts 1 and 2, and 5years for count 3
- The judgement that was delivered by Justice Angela Otaluka
- Farouk Lawan was also ordered by the court to return the sum of $500,000 to the Federal Government.
- The matter was prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC)
WHAT WE ARE WATCHING
As expected Farouk Lawan already indicated his plan to appeal the judgement. We are watching to see what he does next and the would be outcome.
YOU CAN CONTACT OUR NEWS ROOM
In the days and weeks to come, we shall continue to monitor the situation and we will continue to update our readers with the latest developments. Please let us know what part of this news that is of interest to you. Let us know what you wish to know as things develop. Also, avail us with any information that is available to you that may help us better inform our readers.
To contact the News Room kindly complete the form below:
[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]
