INDICATIONS have emerged as to the reason the Nigeria Police decided not to prevent the embattled former chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee probing the oil subsidy regime, Honourable Farouk Lawan, from travelling out of the country on religious grounds.

The police is investigating the $620,000 bribe money allegedly collected by Lawan from businessman, Mr Femi Otedola.

Detectives at the police headquarters investigating the bribery saga disclosed to Saturday Tribune that the decision followed Lawan’s respect for the terms of his bail conditions.

It was learnt that when the issue of his travelling for lesser hajj, umrah, came up, the authorities studied his conduct and cooperation in the investigation.

A specific time frame for Lawan to perform the religious obligation and return to the country was agreed upon and signed, a source said.

It was, however, understood that until the investigation was concluded last week and the report submitted to the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for legal advice, Farouk had insisted that his colleagues would bring the money to him to hand over to the police.

Lawan had claimed in a statement to the police that he handed over the bribe money to the chairman of the House Committee on Drugs and Financial Crimes, Adams Jagaba.

Jagaba, however, denied the claim and challenged Lawan to a proof, which he (Lawan) has so far failed to do.

Meanwhile, contrary to the provisions of the law which makes a giver and taker of bribe liable to criminal charges, it was gathered that Chief Otedola, who gave the bribe in this case, might be a prosecution witness if the recommendations of the investigation report is approved by the Attorney-General.

Comments (1)

Show/hide comments

Farouk Lawan vs Femi Otedola
written by Olu Ogunde, August 11, 2012

In all honesty that is what Otedola should be i.e. prosecution witness if truly he carried the SSS along in the bribery saga.

• 
• +1
• 
• 

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment