A former member of the House of Representatives from Kano, Hon Farouk Lawan has served out his term in Kuje Correctional Centre
He had landed himself into trouble by demanding and collecting bribes from oil billionaire Femi Otedola during the House of Reps’ Committee probe into a fuel subsidy scam.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court had sentenced Lawan to seven years imprisonment for receiving a $500,000 bribe while serving as the chairman of the House’s ad-hoc committee investigating the fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.
The trial judge, Angela Otaluka, held that Lawan demanded $3m and received $500,000 from Femi Otedola in 2012 to remove Otedola’s oil company, Zenon Oil and Gas, from the list of firms indicted for fraud in the fuel subsidy regime.
She also held that Lawan was guilty of all three counts of corruption and bribery.
Not satisfied, Lawan approached the appellate court where his jail term was reduced from seven to five years.
Lawan approached the apex court, urging it to set aside the judgments of the lower courts.
Reading the lead judgment, Justice Tijani Abubakar upheld the decision of the appeal court and dismissed the appeal.
In 2018, businessman Otedola accused the former House of Representatives member of demanding a $500,000 bribe from him to remove his company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, from the list of oil companies allegedly involved in fuel subsidy fraud.
In a press statement on Tuesday, Farouk Lawan announced to the world that he had been released.
The statement entitled: “I thank the Almighty Allah – Hon Farouk Lawan,” reads:
“Alhamdulillah
“Alhamdulillah
“Alhamdulillah
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life as I step out of Kuje Custodial Centre, with a heart full of gratitude to Allah SWT for seeing me through this trial.
“My gratitude is deep, I’m alive and in good health and high spirits to be with my family, friends and associates. I don’t take that for granted.
“I remain grateful and indebted to my family and friends who stood by me through this particularly trying phase of my life.
“May Allah SWT bless you🙏”
Signed
Hon. Farouk Mohammed Lawan
Abuja.
Eighteen-Eleven Media