Federal lawmakers put a hold on their recess to debate the corruption scandal that has engulfed a prominent member
The House of Representatives is to reconvene on Friday for an emergency session over the $620,000 bribery scandal that has rocked the lower chambers currently on a two-week recess.
The plenary will debate allegations that Farouk Lawan, the Chairman of the House adhoc committee on fuel subsidy management, received the huge sum as bribe from oil billionaire, Femi Otedola, to exonerate his firm, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, as one of the violators of government subsidy.
Otedola agreed paying the money, claiming that he was working with law enforcement agents who secretly videotaped the payment in April just before the House deliberated on the committee’s report that was widely applauded.
Lawan, on his part, claimed he accepted the money so as to expose Otedola’s graft tendencies. However, he had initially issued a statement denying the bribe; and had also reported the issue to the House leadership a month after the money was collected. Sources have said that only came after he realised he had been set up.
Lawmakers have said the episode is amongst the most embarrassing for the chamber that has seen many scandals.
The extraordinary session will hold on Friday June 15, 2012, the Clerk of the House, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, said in a message to lawmakers on Wednesday. “Honourable members are advised to take note and attend promptly please,” he said.
Otedola was quizzed by police investigators on Tuesday. Sources have said he may not be charged; instead, may provide a witness account against Lawan when the lawmaker is eventually charged.
Lawan is likely to be asked to resign his position from the committee pending investigation by the House and the law enforcement agencies.
The House has said in an earlier statement it will not defend the lawmaker is found culpable.
“While we await investigation into these weighty accusations, we wish to state without equivocation that this honourable House will never take sides with corruption and we will always stand on the side of the rule of law,” said Zakari Muhammed, the House spokesperson.
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Reps halt holiday over $3m Bribe allegations
Reps halt holiday over $3m Bribe allegations
NigerianEye
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012
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The "Honourables” are worried that they have been heavily and undesputedly exposed for what they truly are. This has nothing to do with national interest of the masses, but more like the mafia getting together to try and re establish honour amongst thieves and control. The saga continues while we docile,cowardly, cowered and ignorant citizens look on and moan in envy from a distance at the money they are looting. We have the government we truly deserve. Enjoy the Nigeria show and if you are not part of it and cannot get in on the action leave the country ASAP as you are witnessing the final stages of collapse of this soft state to a failed state as these vultures loot as much as they possibly can. Nigeria was never a real nation in the first place but a terrible and painful nightmare of an entrapment. You can only hope that this total collapse is peaceful because we now have a hungry and very angry population with no morals and a very high predisposition to violence so GET OUT NOW and stop listening to sycophants that are feeding of the system and pastors milking money out of your misery and supporting the statusquo and having you sing brainwashed social engineering prosperity songs like we shall over come. Who is the big mugu now? Do you know the real meaning of Nigeria and who actually gave it that name? Dead on arrival people.
ReplyDeleteThe mechanism that selects out political leaders to office is filtering criminals and we do not have the will to change it. This problem of corruption will continue.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a shame that Honourables claim to be halting holiday over their colleagues inexcusable behaviour. We are not fooled! Are they not getting paid for this so called 'holiday halt'.
ReplyDeleteAm not surprised, bcos corruption runs in the veins of all our law makers.
ReplyDeleteWe've been having issues like this, but how many of our law makers have ever been purnished? If the coomon steals and is caught, he is purnished. If a Politician steals and is caught, he/she is celebrated! Let's see how this one ends.
ReplyDelete