The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, has sentenced a former chairman of the Federal House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on fuel subsidy, Farouk Lawan, to seven years imprisonment over $3million bribe.
The trial judge, Justice Angela Otaluka found him guilty as charge over the $3 million bribery charges levelled against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
Justice Otaluka held that the defendant committed an offence punishable under section 8 (Subsection 1) 17 (Subsection 1) and 23 (Subsection 3) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act.
Justice Otaluka is the third judge to handle the trial that has spanned over nine years.
Two judges who earlier handled the matter could not see it to the end as the first one was elevated to the Court of Appeal bench and the second withdrew after Mr Lawan accused her of bias.
Lawan was said to have demanded for the bribe from an oil merchant, Femi Otedola when he was the chairman of the house of representatives ad hoc committee probing the multi-billion naira fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.
The bribe is meant to remove Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited (Otedola’s company) from the list of oil companies allegedly involved in the fuel subsidy fraud.
Read Also: Human Rights Abuse: FG Commends ECOWAS Court Over Vindication
Lawan, who was arraigned on seven counts of bribery was alleged to have collected $500,000 bribe from Otedola.
The charge was later amended to three counts.
Otedola, while giving evidence as to the fifth prosecution witness, said the defendant had demanded $3 million from him with a threat to indict his company.
The businessman said he proceeded to report the issue to the DSS and was given $500,000 marked notes.
Also, the DSS had planted a camera in Otedola’s house.
