Details of the testimonies of the suspended Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Monitoring of Subsidy Regime, Mr. Farouk Lawan, showed that he admitted taking “money” and “not a bribe” from oil businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola.
Lawan had appeared before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Thursday.
The committee, which is investigating the $620,000 bribery allegation, is headed by Mr. Gambo Musa.
Findings indicated that the panel grilled the former Chairman, House Committee on Education for over fours hours, starting from 1.07pm.
Investigations showed that before the panel, Lawan tried to draw a distinction between money and a bribe.
He was said to have argued that he took money with the aim of exposing Otedola, not a bribe.
A source, who was privy to the details of the testimonies, said, “He told the committee that he took money to expose Otedola, as different from a bribe.
“In the statement he issued, where he admitted taking the money, he drew the attention of the committee to the fact that he was careful with his choice of words.
“Bribe was not mentioned in the statement, but money. Money he took to expose Otedola.”
Lawan reportedly tendered text messages and call logs to the panel as evidence that he did not initiate the transaction between Otedola and himself.
“From what he tendered, it seemed the transaction was not initiated by him.
“So, what the committee has decided to do is to confront the other parties to the case with the information Lawan has divulged”, the source, who pleaded anonymity, added.
Asked whether Lawan was in possession of the $620,000, the source said he replied that “a lot more information will be made available as the police and other agencies continu with their investigations. The truth is there.”
The source explained that because of the sensitive nature of the investigation, the committee later reasoned that it was not wise to make the inquiry public.
“Lawan has information and documents; he has text messages; he has call logs and other evidence.
“The committee didn’t want other witnesses to take advantage of a public appearance and work on their own testimonies.
“The committee wants to throw Lawan’s claims on other witnesses to see how they will respond.
“In that way, some conflicting information may come to the fore.
“The other witnesses too will be heard in camera and will be accorded the same protection as Lawan”, the source stated.
Lawan was discharged after four hours of meeting with the panel.
According to the source, the committee resolved to invite him again if the testimonies of other witnesses punctured his claims “or if there is the need to hear from him again.
“Otherwise, the committee is done with him.”
He who must dine with the DEVIL...
ReplyDeleteNothing will really happen to him at the end of the day. The penal system is for the poor person that steals a tuber of yam in desperate hunger and not for any elite that 'takes' billions. Welcome to the greatest show on earth: The Nigeria show! The original nolloywood.
ReplyDeleteFAROUK LAWAN SHOULD CONFESS AND STEP DOWN TO AVOID FURTHER DISGRACE UPON HIM. HIS TIME IS UP.
ReplyDeleteThis thing shows how corrupt Nigerian politicians are,wheres they will tell the poor ones to be sinscere.
ReplyDeleteThis is just a committee set up to vindicate their colleague. Do Nigerians really expect anything from that committee? We are already used to committees, its just one way of killing any matter & letting the guilty & corrupt persons go free. But let our leaders remember this: You may escape men's judgement, but you can never escape the final judgement & eternal punishment from God Almighty.
ReplyDeleteNaija ruling system. Farouk Farouk. una dey try ooooo
ReplyDeleteWhat is the differences between collecting money that you did not work for and collecting bribe not to say the truth.
ReplyDeleteMr Farouk lawan is beating around the bush.
Either collecting money or bribe, all are act of bribery and corruption.
as the turn of things appear at the moment, we should all watch with care and not decide on anything yet. Let us wait for thee other parties involved in the scam before judging the case at hand because pre-judging an issue before listening to all those involve is man inhumanity to man. Though nothing might eventually happen at the end of the day, but let us wait and see the result, before landing in things we know little about, Only judging by what we are been fed with by the press. I think that is the best approach.
ReplyDeleteAs to the law made, laws are always made for commoners the world over, it did not start in the last two centuries, it has been the practice of the Lords.
It might be so where you live sir, but with the little have seen of the U.S law system, boy, you will pay for it. The greatest billionaire is never different from a Janitor when the axe of the law falls.
Delete@kbboyone
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you my brother. Nigerians are quick to reach conclusion on any issue as fed to them by the media.
you take money not Bribe, so someone that takes money as an evidence should put it in his / her cap (ORI OWO ) this man is a thief. GOD will Punish AMEN. when Obasanjo said there are rogs in the house does he made mistake no?
ReplyDeleteWhat arrant nonsense! If Faruk took the money in order to expose Otedola, why on earth did he do exactly what Otedola asked him to do? By the way, why did he not invite the police to video the collection of the money? Why was it necessary to go to Otedola's house to collect the money? One would have thought that the giver of a bribe would be the one going to the receiver and not the other way round! In any event, where is the exact money collected by Lawan. Why is it taking him centuries to produce same if indeed he collected it to entrap Otedola? Good gracious me, this guy must think that every Nigerian is
ReplyDeleteeither dumb or corrupt like him.
Dis(honourable) Lawan and his cohorts should stop insulting our sensibilities with
their shameful and hopelessly disjointed after thoughts.
Again, what the heck is this committee doing with a crime that is presently being investigated by the Police? Can their finding supersede that of the police or are conniving in an attempt at a cover up? This country is truly beginning to disgust me!
What is bribe, what is money! Bribe i know could be given or received in form of cash, materials or properties. So if, Farouk's bribe allegation is in form of money den it means it's bribe. He's just trying to be political in His approach so he can be exonorated.
ReplyDeleteJust like Obassanjo said. "Punish both the bribe taker and giver"
What is bribe, what is money! Bribe i know could be given or received in form of cash, materials or properties. So if, Farouk's bribe allegation is in form of money den it means it's bribe. He's just trying to be political in His approach so he can be exonorated.
ReplyDeleteJust like Obassanjo said. "Punish both the bribe taker and giver"
unbelieveable 4 an Hon law maker nw distinguished bw moni n bribery in dis crucial issue d whole world is listening. What did Lawan sell 2 Otedola which he collected moni frm him, shame 2 Nigeria n Nigerians of their types
ReplyDeletelove of money is the root of all evil that has beclouded Farouk Lawan.
ReplyDeletethe more u gather money,the more ur wants become insatiable !!!!!!!!!
If Faruk Lawan took the money to trap Otedola, how come no one heard about until Otedola exposed the entire saga by way of his press release weeks after the incident? Let no one be deceived by Faruk's fallacious after thought tales. What he did amounts to blackmail and extortion. It isn't an issue of bribe at all. Let Nigerians take their time to read Otedola's press release again.
ReplyDeleteThose who talk about arresting the bribe giver and the taker clearly miss the point! Otedola was a victim of blackmail and extortion simple. Please take your time to watch the video of Faruk moving the motion on the floor of the House for the names of Otedola's companies to be deleted from the list of indicted companies and you will be in no doubt at all that this was a case of pure blackmail and extorrtion! You don't arrest a victim of blackmail and extortion as well and the pepertrator of the crime. That would lead to absurdity. If you do that, who will be your witness?
Conclusively this is total show of shame in all ramification. Th leader of tomorow are watching to see wat precedence dis will bring to justice as a reference.
ReplyDeleteCome and see Nigeria wonder!!!!
ReplyDeleteAll the probe panels that has been constituted in this country by various administration, there findings has never been impplimented nor prosecuted and not to talk inprisonment. Lawal case is another avenue to tell all Nigerian again that they cannot do anything bcos the people behind it are heavy and may bring division & choas to the nation.
ReplyDelete~~~and the beats goes on!
ReplyDelete