Ex-lawmaker, Farouk Lawan, sentenced to seven years in jail for bribery

A FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court today sentenced Hon Farouk Lawan, a former member of the House of Representatives, to seven years imprisonment over the fuel subsidy scandal.

Lawan, who represented Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency in Kano State was found guilty of soliciting bribe from billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, during the probe of fuel subsidy in 2012.

He had chaired the ad-hoc committee which probed fuel subsidy under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Otedola had accused Lawan of making a demand of $3 million for Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, his company, to be delisted from companies being probed.

While delivering the judgment, Justice Angela Ataluka, stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

In Suit No. FHC/HC/CR/76/2013, a $3 million bribery charge was filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria against Farouk Lawan for asking for $3 million and obtaining the sum of $500,000 from Otedola to remove his company from the list of indicted companies before the House of Reps Adhoc committee on fuel subsidy.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), indicted him of collecting $500,000 bribe from Otedola.

He was found guilty of count one, two, and three bothering on obtaining money from Otedola.

He was sentenced to seven years for count one while he was sentenced to five years for count three.

The sentences are to run concurrently.