KAI , KAI , KAI LAWAN
Fresh facts have emerged on the $3million bribery allegation involving the Chairman of the House of Representatives probe panel on fuel subsidy regime, Farouk Lawal.
It has been established that Lawan actually took $500,000 from the owner of Zenon Oil, Femi Otedola.
Recall that Otedola had revealed in an interview with a national newspaper on Monday that he involved the security agents, who trailed Lawan’s request for a bribe from him.
He also narrated how he released a total sum of $620,000 to Lawan and Emenalo in three tranches, all monitored and recorded by the security agents.
But Lawan who had earlier denied ever accepting any money from the billionaire has confessed that he took the money to expose corruption.
Also, the Clerk of the ad hoc committee, Boniface Emenalo has also accepted to have received $120,000 from the businessman.
Documents obtained by THE WILL, indicate that Farouk and Emenalo, had informed the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar of “attempt” by Otedola to bribe them.
Another letter was written by Lawan to the House committee chairman on Drugs/Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Jagaba Adams Jagaba intimating him of the development.
In the letter, Lawan wrote to Jagaba, he stated “Attached (to the letter) is the sum of five hundred thousand dollars only offered to me with another promise of two million, five hundred thousand dollars.”
Another letter written by Emenalo to Lawan read, “I wish to inform you that I was on his invitation, at the residence of their Chairman, Mr. Femi Otedola, in Maitama (Aso Drive) this morning and he offered me the sum of one hundred thousand US dollars in two bundles of $50,000 each. The money is herewith forwarded as evidence.”
Yet another letter, reference number, CR: 3000/IGP.SEC/STF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL 2/309 indicated that the IG directed “a discreet investigation into the matter.” The letter was signed by Commissioner of Police, Special Task Force, Ali Amodu.
Meanwhile, THEWILL has reliably gathered that it was former President Obasanjo that brought the attention of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal about the bribe.
The speaker recently visited Obasanjo at Ota, Ogun state where the former leader gave him a copy of the video recording showing Lawan collecting money from Otedola at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
But according to Lawan he did not report Otedola's offer of bribe to him on the floor of the House because it would have generated a fresh controversy.
Lawan also stated that the police were aware of the offer of a bribe as the Acting Inspector-General in a letter dated, May 9, 2012, directed the task force on investigation to meet him.
Lawan explained that in a letter dated May 31, 2012, he told the IGP that the matter (bribe offer) had been referred to the relevant committee of the House for legislative action.
In a letter obtained by THEWILL, Lawan wrote “I had considered bringing this issue as a matter of privilege on the floor of the House later today (April 24), but I am concerned that the controversy it will generate will dwarf the contents of the report, which needs public attention so that necessary reforms in the sector could be affected.”
Lawan also explained that in response to his report to the police, the IGP in a letter to the Speaker dated June 4, 2012, stated that a detailed criminal investigation had been ordered into the matter.
The letter titled, “Investigation activities: Letter of invitation in a case of criminal conspiracy and attempt to pervert the course of justice by offering gratification,” the office of the IGP stated that “the Inspector General of Police has directed a detailed criminal investigation into the matter.”
However, contrary to Lawan’s new position, a source who has listened to audio recordings between Lawan and Otedola told THEWILL that Lawan indeed assured Otedola of protection once the cash was released. “Once I receive the money, we will remove your name from the report,” Lawan was quoted to have told Otedola.
The House is currently on recess and would resume on June 19, when it is expected to take decision on the matter.
Fresh facts have emerged on the $3million bribery allegation involving the Chairman of the House of Representatives probe panel on fuel subsidy regime, Farouk Lawal.
It has been established that Lawan actually took $500,000 from the owner of Zenon Oil, Femi Otedola.
Recall that Otedola had revealed in an interview with a national newspaper on Monday that he involved the security agents, who trailed Lawan’s request for a bribe from him.
He also narrated how he released a total sum of $620,000 to Lawan and Emenalo in three tranches, all monitored and recorded by the security agents.
But Lawan who had earlier denied ever accepting any money from the billionaire has confessed that he took the money to expose corruption.
Also, the Clerk of the ad hoc committee, Boniface Emenalo has also accepted to have received $120,000 from the businessman.
Documents obtained by THE WILL, indicate that Farouk and Emenalo, had informed the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar of “attempt” by Otedola to bribe them.
Another letter was written by Lawan to the House committee chairman on Drugs/Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Jagaba Adams Jagaba intimating him of the development.
In the letter, Lawan wrote to Jagaba, he stated “Attached (to the letter) is the sum of five hundred thousand dollars only offered to me with another promise of two million, five hundred thousand dollars.”
Another letter written by Emenalo to Lawan read, “I wish to inform you that I was on his invitation, at the residence of their Chairman, Mr. Femi Otedola, in Maitama (Aso Drive) this morning and he offered me the sum of one hundred thousand US dollars in two bundles of $50,000 each. The money is herewith forwarded as evidence.”
Yet another letter, reference number, CR: 3000/IGP.SEC/STF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL 2/309 indicated that the IG directed “a discreet investigation into the matter.” The letter was signed by Commissioner of Police, Special Task Force, Ali Amodu.
Meanwhile, THEWILL has reliably gathered that it was former President Obasanjo that brought the attention of Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal about the bribe.
The speaker recently visited Obasanjo at Ota, Ogun state where the former leader gave him a copy of the video recording showing Lawan collecting money from Otedola at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
But according to Lawan he did not report Otedola's offer of bribe to him on the floor of the House because it would have generated a fresh controversy.
Lawan also stated that the police were aware of the offer of a bribe as the Acting Inspector-General in a letter dated, May 9, 2012, directed the task force on investigation to meet him.
Lawan explained that in a letter dated May 31, 2012, he told the IGP that the matter (bribe offer) had been referred to the relevant committee of the House for legislative action.
In a letter obtained by THEWILL, Lawan wrote “I had considered bringing this issue as a matter of privilege on the floor of the House later today (April 24), but I am concerned that the controversy it will generate will dwarf the contents of the report, which needs public attention so that necessary reforms in the sector could be affected.”
Lawan also explained that in response to his report to the police, the IGP in a letter to the Speaker dated June 4, 2012, stated that a detailed criminal investigation had been ordered into the matter.
The letter titled, “Investigation activities: Letter of invitation in a case of criminal conspiracy and attempt to pervert the course of justice by offering gratification,” the office of the IGP stated that “the Inspector General of Police has directed a detailed criminal investigation into the matter.”
However, contrary to Lawan’s new position, a source who has listened to audio recordings between Lawan and Otedola told THEWILL that Lawan indeed assured Otedola of protection once the cash was released. “Once I receive the money, we will remove your name from the report,” Lawan was quoted to have told Otedola.
The House is currently on recess and would resume on June 19, when it is expected to take decision on the matter.
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