$500,000 Bribe Case: Supreme Court Upholds Ex-Lawmaker Farouk Lawan’s Jail Term

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has upheld the seven-year jail term for former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan, in connection with a $500,000 bribery scandal. The decision, which dismisses Lawan’s appeal, follows the initial ruling by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where he was sentenced for corruption during his tenure as the chairman of the House’s ad-hoc committee investigating the fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.

According to the trial judge, Angela Otaluka, Lawan was found guilty of demanding $3 million and accepting $500,000 from Femi Otedola in 2012. Allegedly, this bribe was solicited to remove Otedola’s oil company, Zenon Oil and Gas, from the list of firms implicated in fraud related to the fuel subsidy regime. Judge Otaluka upheld Lawan’s guilt on all three counts of corruption and bribery.

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Unsatisfied with the initial judgment, Lawan sought redress through the appellate court, where his seven-year sentence was reduced to five years. However, the recent Supreme Court ruling has sided with the decision of the appeal court, thereby dismissing Lawan’s appeal and confirming the seven-year jail term.

This legal saga sheds light on Lawan’s actions while leading the investigation into fuel subsidy fraud, revealing a complex web of corruption. The judiciary’s unwavering stance against corruption is evident in the successive rulings, underscoring the severity of Lawan’s offenses.

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The case carries broader implications for anti-corruption efforts and the scrutiny of public officials. The Supreme Court’s affirmation serves as a stern reminder that corruption will be met with consequences, even at the highest echelons of government.

Source:
Punch Nigeria

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