From IKENNA EMEWU, Abuja
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday ordered that the former chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe, Hon Farouk Lawan and the clerk of the committee, Boniface Emenalo be remanded in Kuje prisons till February 8 for a decision on their bail applications.
This followed their arraignment in court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on seven criminal charges, including the violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi had, on Thursday, granted leave to the ICPC to prosecute the two on criminal charges under Section 185(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Prosecution Counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) had told the court that investigations have been concluded and the list of witnesses filed and that he is ready to go on with the trial. He prayed the court to place in custody the accused persons pending the trial date as according to him “we were served the motion for bail this morning, if it is convenient for you to take the application we will take the application on points of law.”
Defence counsel, Ricky Tarfa (SAN) who led Mike Ozekhome (SAN) in an oral application for bail said “we apply that the accused persons be admitted to bail pending the trial. We are also asking for bail on the most liberal terms. We adopt our written address as the accused persons have been on administrative bail and they have never violated any of the terms of bail, the accused have been reporting to the police on 37 occasions, he has not travelled out more than four times since the commencement of investigation.”
Awomolo in response said: “We oppose the application for bail, he is charged with offences that are punishable with seven years in prison. There is the likelihood of his committing the same offence while on bail. They did not give an undertaking that when they are allowed to return to the National Assembly that they won’t obtain bribe.
“The right to liberty is not absolute as guaranteed by the constitution under Section 35, the accused persons were part and parcel of the enactment of the ICPC Act in year 2000. They know the intention of the law and still got involved in it.” The court adjourned to February 8 for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in the custody of Kuje prisons.
Dey wil stil grant them bail ,with landed properties,am only hapy 4 d public disgrace,wat hapen 2 Bankole,
Felix, the word disgrace does not appear in the dictionary of Nigerian leaders. The executive, the legislature and the judiciary are all partners in stealing. Watch out and see how the matter will end.
Quote me this is the begining of their life in obscurity. Lawan Farouk and Emenalo have started their journey into nobody. May all the corrupt politicians be expossed.
Farouk, is ur turn to face judgement
dis trial will not be complete with out de giver of dis so called bribery case to be try too, so they should arrest Otedola too if not I will just call dis a selective trial.
Otedola is innocent, he reported Farouk demand to Obasanjo( secretly) and OBJ call the IGP who directed them to the CP of the state, and police gave Otedola mark note to give to farouk and he received it, his voice was also recorded.
It is good for the unlucky honorable members of the house of reps, with this new development the NASS will become more committed to their over sight functions on the MDAs and as such we will be faced with more revelations on corruptions that must have been swept under the carpet, in fact, the President should watch it otherwise, they will avenge the calamity befell two of their Members in no distance future.
I am happy that the matter is not before a Malam Judge that will easily destroy the case and set the THIEVES free on foolish ground(s). Farouk and his friend will know life is not easy for poor people within one week of their stay in prison.
It’s a pity farouk. May God help u.
Nigerians are not in way amused that they ve forced an obscure and teethless ICPC to arraign Hon.Faruk Lawan and Mr Emenal o to court for taking S6OO,OOO bribe,Oil Magnet/Baron,Femi Otedola offered to them,because if a heartless if a criminal thief,Mr John Yakubu who admited that he Stole(only)N23b.of the Police pension fund which contributed to deaths,Sickness,ailments such as Stroke,inca pacitation,unable to discharge family resp- onsiblities by many of D Pensioneers was given 2 years pat on- the back Jail term, an option of N75O,OO O.by a Judge who mig ht have collected his IO% Egunje from the pen thief.Then what is it to be celebrated that Barr.Festus Keyamo have force the lame duck anti-graft agency to file charge,which is alrdady defective by not including the Orig inator/Giver of the huge bribe,Mr Femi Otedola ,Im askn why was he not charged as required by d circumst ances on ground,whic h indicted him also.Is it because he is a member of the Presid -ents Economic team? Or is there any special court,Mr Otedola is to be arraigned,because of his closeness to the Presidency ?This ques -stions are pertinent because it takes two the two to dance Corr -uption Tango.NO GIVA NO RECIVA OF BRIBE. For Corruption to die in Nigeria,a special Court must be establis hed to try Corrupt Nigerians,with terms not less Ten years minor ones and Death Senenses for all cases above N2Om.them and is only Corruption will fizzle out of the Nation,or we adopt Jerry Rawlings of Ghana model,the choice is for Nigerians to decide in unism.
Nigerians are not in way amused that they ve forced an obscure and teethless ICPC to arraign Hon.Faruk Lawan and Mr Emenal o to court for taking S6OO,OOO bribe,Oil Magnet/Baron,Femi Otedola offered to them,because if a heartless if a criminal thief,Mr John Yakubu who admited that he Stole(only)N23b.of the Police pension fund which contributed to deaths,Sickness,ailments such as Stroke,inca pacitation,unable to discharge family resp- onsiblities by many of D Pensioneers was given 2 years pat on- the back Jail term, an option of N75O,OO O.by a Judge who mig ht have collected his IO% Egunje from the pen thief.Then what is it to be celebrated that Barr.Festus Keyamo have force the lame duck anti-graft agency to file charge,which is alrdady defective by not including the Orig inator/Giver of the huge bribe,Mr Femi Otedola ,Im askn why was he not charged as required by d circumst ances on ground,whic h indicted him also.Is it because he is a member of the Presid -ents Economic team? Or is there any special court,Mr Otedola is to be arraigned,because of his closeness to the Presidency ?This ques -stions are pertinent because it takes two the two to dance Corr -uption Tango.NO GIVA NO RECIVA OF BRIBE. For Corruption to die in Nigeria,a special Court must be establis hed to try Corrupt Nigerians,with terms not less Ten years minor ones and Death Senenses for all cases above N2Om.them and is only Corruption will fizzle out of the Nation,or we adopt Jerry Rawlings of Ghana model,the choice is for Nigerians to decide in unism.For now Hon. Faruk Lawal and Mr Emenalo will play ball and receive their own pat on back gift from the irritant Judges in our courts. How many Corrupt Politicians whose cases are in several Nigerian High Courts have been convicted for their high level Economic looting against the Massess, Except those that were convicted out side the Country.
Nigerians are not in way amused that they ve forced an obscure and teethless ICPC to arraign Hon.Faruk Lawan and Mr Emenal o to court for taking S6OO,OOO bribe,Oil Magnet/Baron,Femi Otedola offered to them,because if a heartless criminal thief,Mr John Yakubu who admited that he Stole(only)N23b.of the Police pension fund which contributed to deaths,Sickness,ailments such as Stroke,inca pacitation,unable to discharge family resp- onsiblities by many of D Pensioneers was given 2 years pat on- the back Jail term, an option of N75O,OO O.by a Judge who mig ht have collected his IO% Egunje from the pen thief.Then what is it to be celebrated that Barr.Festus Keyamo have force the lame duck anti-graft agency to file charge,which is alrdady defective by not including the Orig inator/Giver of the huge bribe,Mr Femi Otedola ,Im askn why was he not charged as required by d circumst ances on ground,whic h indicted him also.Is it because he is a member of the Presid -ents Economic team? Or is there any special court,Mr Otedola is to be arraigned,because of his closeness to the Presidency ?This ques -stions are pertinent because it takes two the two to dance Corr -uption Tango.NO GIVA NO RECIVA OF BRIBE. For Corruption to die in Nigeria,a special Court must be establis hed to try Corrupt Nigerians,with terms not less Ten years minor ones and Death Senenses for all cases above N2Om.them and is only Corruption will fizzle out of the Nation,or we adopt Jerry Rawlings of Ghana model,the choice is for Nigerians to decide in unism.For now Hon. Faruk Lawal and Mr Emenalo will play ball and receive their own pat on back gift from the irritant Judges in our courts. How many Corrupt Politicians whose cases are in several Nigerian High Courts have been convicted for their high level Economic looting against the Massess, Except those that were convicted out side the Country.
All na criminals
Please judge Nigerian are waiting to see that this case is not like the case of director of police pensions scams
This is one big case that will determine the will of this administration to deal with corruption from the root.
WHERE IS MR. FEMI OTEDOLA???, HE SHOULD ALSO BE REMINDED IN PRISON FOR GIVING BRIBE OR HAVE WE FORGOT TO KNOW THAT, HE BLEW THE WHISTLE OF BRIBERY WHEN THE COMMITTEE STILL INCLUDED HIS COMPANY’S NAMES IN THE LIST OF SUBSIDY OFFENDERS. IF IT IS THROUGH HE WANTED TO PLAY ALONG WITH THEM, WHY DID’NT HE ARREST THEM AT HIS GATE WHEN THEY COLLECTED THE SAID BRIBE MONEY ON THEIR WAY OUT???? , I WANT MR OTEDOLA TO BE ARRAIGNED OTHERWISE, NO NEED TO PROSECUTE FAROUK AND OTHERS. THIS IS THE PLAIN TRUTH.
what they are doing is demonstration of crazy and greedy so called lawmakers and all our politicians becos all of them are devil and thief,the lawmakers knew that one day it will be their turn that was why they made laws that will favor them.how can somebody siphoned billions u jail d person 8 months or 2 two year,and u except corruption to go,it just a waste time and a deceive to nigerians.
But his colleagues have given him a clean bill.
You need to know that in any crime and offence committed, the major point to prove it, is INTENTION. It’s ignorant of you calling for Otedola’s prosecution, because he did not give the said money with the intention for, Hon. Farouk to remove his name from the indicted list as requested by the said Lawan, but he gave the money with the intention of exposing dubious moves Lawan made toward him. With this brief explaination, u should know that, intention is a major ingredient in the commission of crime.
Are they really remanded into prison or is it another type of judges abracadabra. I can be to it that these men will not step into prison.Which black maria took them there? Didn’t any journalist cover the court proceeding? Abeg make we talk better thing.