Kehinde Fajobi
Former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan has been released from the Kuje Correctional Facility in Abuja after serving a five-year sentence for accepting a $300,000 bribe from businessman Femi Otedola. His release took place on Tuesday.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life as I step out of Kuje Custodial Centre, with a heart full of gratitude to Allah SWT for seeing me through this trial,” Lawan stated in a signed release.
He expressed deep appreciation to friends and family for their unwavering support during this challenging period.
“My gratitude is deep; I’m alive and in good health and high spirits to be with my family, friends, and associates. I don’t take that for granted,” he added. “I remain grateful and indebted to my family and friends who stood by me through this particularly trying phase of my life.”
Lawan, who previously chaired the House of Representatives Committee on Fuel Subsidy, was sentenced in 2021 after being found guilty of soliciting the bribe while investigating the multi-billion naira fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.
The Court of Appeal sentenced him to five years in prison, acquitting him on two of the three counts of corruption brought by the Federal Government. He was also ordered to refund $500,000 to the government.
Lawan appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, which upheld the initial verdict in January 2024.
The Supreme Court, led by Justice John Okoro and delivered by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, found that Lawan’s appeal lacked merit and subsequently dismissed it.