Mr. Lawan was the chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by the House in 2012 to investigate massive petrol subsidy fraud.
The committee found some oil companies culpable of defrauding the Federal Government via spurious subsidy claims. Zenon Petroleum and Gas Company, belonging to Mr. Otedola, was also found culpable.
Despite the wide approval of the committee’s work, claims that Mr. Lawan who appeared strict during public hearings, had received gratifications to clear some companies, soon emerged.
His encounter with Mr. Otedola allegedly involving the exchange of over $600,000 was a “sting operation” to collect evidence, the SSS later said.
Mr. Lawan’s trial is in its fifth year.
On Tuesday, Justice Angela Otaruku granted the request of the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, to play the video as evidence of Mr. Lawan collecting bribe from Mr. Otedola.
The video, revealing an exchange of parcel, lasted for almost three minutes.
“The video I just played are those of Mr Femi Otedola and Hon. Farouq Lawan where there was an exchange of parcel at Otedola’s house in Aso drive, Abuja,” said Mr. Awomolo.
Mike Ozekhome, the defendant’s counsel, while cross examining the SSS prosecutor, David Ojataha, said the device used in playing the CD had no imprint of time and event in the video.
Mr. Ozekhome said there was nothing to show that the defendant was there to receive bribe.
He added that there was also nothing in the video to suggest that bribery was discussed because such words like “bribe” was not heard in the video.
The trial judge, Ms. Otaruku, while discharging the SSS prosecutor from the witness box, ordered the prosecution counsel to bring his other witnesses to court on May 10, being the adjourned date of the trial. (NAN)
The committee found some oil companies culpable of defrauding the Federal Government via spurious subsidy claims. Zenon Petroleum and Gas Company, belonging to Mr. Otedola, was also found culpable.
Despite the wide approval of the committee’s work, claims that Mr. Lawan who appeared strict during public hearings, had received gratifications to clear some companies, soon emerged.
His encounter with Mr. Otedola allegedly involving the exchange of over $600,000 was a “sting operation” to collect evidence, the SSS later said.
Mr. Lawan’s trial is in its fifth year.
On Tuesday, Justice Angela Otaruku granted the request of the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, to play the video as evidence of Mr. Lawan collecting bribe from Mr. Otedola.
The video, revealing an exchange of parcel, lasted for almost three minutes.
“The video I just played are those of Mr Femi Otedola and Hon. Farouq Lawan where there was an exchange of parcel at Otedola’s house in Aso drive, Abuja,” said Mr. Awomolo.
Mike Ozekhome, the defendant’s counsel, while cross examining the SSS prosecutor, David Ojataha, said the device used in playing the CD had no imprint of time and event in the video.
Mr. Ozekhome said there was nothing to show that the defendant was there to receive bribe.
He added that there was also nothing in the video to suggest that bribery was discussed because such words like “bribe” was not heard in the video.
The trial judge, Ms. Otaruku, while discharging the SSS prosecutor from the witness box, ordered the prosecution counsel to bring his other witnesses to court on May 10, being the adjourned date of the trial. (NAN)
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*Please where are the Lawyers?Is evidence like this admissible in court? it was a 'Sting Operation' to collect evidence....
Someone appears very sneaky. It's either he uses the security agents or they use him.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Lawyers ngwa educate us bikonu
ReplyDeleteSo i talk this has died down.. Ok ooo na dem sabi
ReplyDeleteScandal...The More you see the less you understand like Reuben Abati said
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the more you see, the less you understand.
ReplyDeleteSo this matter is still existing?
ReplyDeleteI find the lawyer Mike Ozakome's statement funny... that the word "bribe" was not used in the video. When police ask you for bribe do they tell us yo give them bribe? They say "find us kola", "help your brother", "wet ground" etc.
ReplyDeleteHe who alleges must prove bc going by the Nigerian laws, all are innocent until proven guilty. It is the duty of the prosecution to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt on the other hand it's the duty of the defense counsel to create as much doubt and loopholes as possible in prosecution's case. Learned SAN is only trying to create doubts in the mind of the court bc whatever the prosecution cannot prove without reasonable doubt will usually not be counted in their favour.
ReplyDeleteThe matter has lingered for too long, 5yrs? Waow!
Justice delayed is already denied.
It is well with Nigeria.