Nigerians are currently being treated to one of the most absurd commentary in the history of the fight against corruption since the advent of democracy on May 29, 1999, and the lead actor in the show of shame is the ever-smiling 'Mr. Integrity' himself.
On Monday, Olufamous.com monitored on radio an interview Hon. Farouk Lawan had with RayPower (Political Platform crew) and observed that the lawmaker denied pointblank that he met Femi Otedola nor collected any money from him. He also denied on behalf of members of his committee, even thou he was not asked to speak for them.
"I don't know how else you want me to answer your questions... I have told you I didn't receive bribe from anybody... There is a simple definition for bribe and I said I did not collect bribe from anyone," he told the Political Platform Crew.
But latest information coming out from the Police Force Headquarters, the National Assembly as well as security circles is an indication that the Hon. Lawan might have been playing with the intelligence of Nigerians, after all.
From what Olufamous.com have been able to put together from the information at its disposal, Lawan and Boniface Emenalo indeed collected the $600,000 bribe from Zenon oil boss, Femi Otedola at his residence in Abuja.
However, it seems as soon as Farouk and Emenalo got wind of information that they might have been set up with the bribe, they informed the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, that some one had bribed them to water-down their report.
From what Olufamous.com have been able to put together from the information at its disposal, Lawan and Boniface Emenalo indeed collected the $600,000 bribe from Zenon oil boss, Femi Otedola at his residence in Abuja.
However, it seems as soon as Farouk and Emenalo got wind of information that they might have been set up with the bribe, they informed the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, that some one had bribed them to water-down their report.
Unfortunately for them, many political observers in Nigeria know that Farouk indeed, most probably as a result of the bribe they collected, edited the report he had earlier submitted to the House of Reps and, surprisingly, in the process Otedola's company's name went missing.
Farouk and Emenalo also hurriedly made a correspondence to the House committee chairman on Drugs/Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Adams Jagaba. All they were trying to achieve, it appeared, is to create an impression that they informed some people about the bribe.
Irrespective of the "game" Farouk and Emenalo are trying to play, Olufamous.com has learnt from top anti-corruption sources in Abuja that the EFCC is already working on the possibility of using Mr. Otedola as a prosecution witness against the "bribed" lawmakers.
Farouk and Emenalo also hurriedly made a correspondence to the House committee chairman on Drugs/Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Adams Jagaba. All they were trying to achieve, it appeared, is to create an impression that they informed some people about the bribe.
Irrespective of the "game" Farouk and Emenalo are trying to play, Olufamous.com has learnt from top anti-corruption sources in Abuja that the EFCC is already working on the possibility of using Mr. Otedola as a prosecution witness against the "bribed" lawmakers.
"Yes, we may use Otedola as a prosecuting witness in the case. But we are still carrying out our discreet investigation. When that has been sufficiently done, then we will swing into action,” a source told the media.
Farouk should go and hide his head in the sand. Who is he trying to deceived? You collected money and after several weeks you start telling people secretly. Why not carry the police allong from the start??
ReplyDeleteNigerian politicians can never change!
It is sad what my dear country has become back home. I weep for dat country. Bolaji
ReplyDeleteFarouk is capable of handling dis issue. Otedola is trying 2 be smart but we shall see what will hapen at d end.
ReplyDeleteD culprits on fuel subsidy scandal must not go unpunished no matter d side attractions. Remember no one shud be too big 2 b questioned and punished
ReplyDeleteI hear Nigeria Police have already told Farouk Lawan directly to bring out the money he collected and stop playing games... hmmm Nigeria is swimming in corruption. Who will help us oh!
ReplyDeleteBruhaha
ReplyDeleteThis man Farouk Lawan is no different from the rest of his counterparts,if we dig deep,we will uncover more as the drama plays out.
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubt the credibility of the entire process.what a shame!
ReplyDeleteThank u Mr Olu for this beautiful story. For those doubting that Farouk cannot accept bribe, read Olu's report very well and you will find out that Farouk edited earlier report he submitted to the house by deleting Zenon oil owned by Odetola from his list of those that have case against the nation. Farouk is a thief and must be brought to book and stoned to death. He is not the only criminal. He must implicate others that were involved. It is now the fight against corruption would start from the rep.
ReplyDeleteThief!!!!!!!!!!!!!oh!!
My advice is that people like Otedola who benefits a lot from bleeding this nation can go a long way to seduce and scandalize and both trying to expose him or any of his associate in crime.
ReplyDeleteWe should lean our support to this man Farouk who has the boldness to expose the mess in our oil industry and stood his ground not to be compromised.
No body is completely free but we should recognize and appreciate the efforts of those trying to fight corruption in their little ways.
As for me the credit of the investigation matters more than the scandals that is been created around it merits.
THE law recognises the giver and reciever of bribe as culpable, lets arrest them both and the pic will be clearer. Otedola is not a saint for Nigerians to now believe him over a Member with Integrity of over a decade, and moreover how comes the SSS has been silent over this matter all this while? Where is Marylin Ogah?
ReplyDeleteIt is not suprising that cabal are at it again, we as Nigerians did not hear any line of action or intention taken to implement the subsidy report recommendations since the report was passed in April 2012. And, suprising to note that after a month GEJ & FG denied even seeing the report when it has became a dictionary of reference to Nigerians.
ReplyDeleteThere was a hidden agenda as to sabotage the entire process since it has directly touch the cabal. They now want clean up exercise and assume the saints they alway prove to be after they have already sap our country dry. Even if there was a bribe issue, how much is it compare to the trillions of naira as allow us to deviate from the Nigerian interest. So who is decieving who?