Taiwo Popoola
A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, has said regaining freedom after serving his jail term marks a new chapter in his life.
Lawan expressed gratitude to God for releasing him from prison.
Speaking after his release from Kuje Correctional Facility, Lawan said: “Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah.
“Today marks the start of a new chapter in my life as I leave Kuje Custodial Centre. I am immensely thankful to Allah SWT for guiding me through this trial.”
Lawan, who served as the Chairman of the Advocacy Committee on the fuel subsidy regime, had accused oil magnate Femi Otedola of demanding a $3 million bribe.
In a counter move, Otedola accused Lawan of receiving a total of $500,000 in bribes.
Lawan was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2021 for accepting a $500,000 bribe from businessman Femi Otedola, Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd.
In a unanimous judgEment, a five-member panel affirmed the 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld Lawan’s sentencing to five years in respect of only count three of the three-count charge on which he was tried at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In the lead judgment prepared by Justice John Okoro but read on Friday by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, the apex court found that Lawan’s appeal was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.
However, the former House of Representatives member regained his freedom on Tuesday.
