I took Otedola’s N96m bribe to expose him –Lawan
PUNCH-June 12, 2012 by Our Correspondents
"CONTRARY to his insistence on Sunday that he did not meet with or receive any bribe from anybody, documents in possession of The PUNCH
showed that Chairman of the House of Representatives probe panel on
fuel subsidy mismanagement, Farouk Lawal, indeed accepted $500,000 from
billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola. Clerk of the committee, Boniface Emenalo, also received $100,000 from the businessman. The sums added up to the $600,000 bribery scandal rocking the House committee which recently exposed how some subsidy thieves robbed the nation of whopping N1.7trn.
Farouk and Emenalo, as the documents, mostly
correspondence, indicated, however let in the Acting Inspector-General
of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, into the “attempt” by Otedola to bribe
them.
Also, there were indications in the correspondence
that Lawan intimated the House committee chairman on Drugs/Narcotics and
Financial Crimes, Adams Jagaba.
Sundry documents. In one of the documents sourced by our correspondents
in Abuja on Monday, Lawan, in a letter to Jagaba, wrote, “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.” 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.
Both Jagaba and the police on Monday declined comments on their involvement in the matter.
While Jagaba told our correspondent that he could not
comment on the matter on the telephone, spokesman for the police, Frank
Mba, said he had yet to get an update on the probe.
“I was unable to reach CP Ali Amodu who is handling
the investigation but I will get back to you once I get an update on the
matter,” he said on the telephone on Monday.
Obasanjo, Mark view video
The fresh insight into the bribery scandal came as The PUNCH
learnt on Monday how the video recording of the transaction between
Lawan and Otedola had been shown to President Goodluck Jonathan,
Vice-President Namadi Sambo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate
President David Mark and House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
Otedola had revealed in an interview with THIS DAY newspaper
how he involved the security agents to supervise Lawan’s persistent
demand 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.
The ad hoc committee chairman said in another letter
that he did not raise the issue of Otedola’s pressure on him on the
floor of the House because it would overshadow the essence of the fuel
subsidy probe.
Lawan stated in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The PUNCH
on Monday that, “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.” The ad hoc committee chairman added that Otedola issued veiled verbal threats against him. He said, “Given the desperation of Mr. Otedola,
handling this matter, in a firm but diplomatic manner is necessary as he
has also made some veiled threats which put me and members of the
committee in a delicate situation.”
The ad hoc committee chairman also disclosed that the
clerk of the committee, Emenalo, had in a letter written to him on
April 24, 2012, said Otedola offered him $100,000.
Threat allegation
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. He said that he promised that the House would inform him about the outcome of the legislative action. According to him, the IGP in a letter to the Speaker
of the House, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, dated June 4, 2012, stated that a
detailed criminal investigation had been ordered into the matter.
In 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.”
Calls for investigation The President of the Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe
Okei-Odumakin, has however called on the EFCC to investigate the bribery
allegation against Lawan.
Okei-Odumakin, in an interview with one of our
correspondents on Monday berated the EFCC for not prosecuting those
indicted by the committee. She said that while the anti-graft agency had found
it convenient to prosecute the Chairman of the House Committee on the
Capital Market, it had found it difficult to prosecute oil thieves.
The CD president said, “The EFCC is prosecuting Hembe with N600,000 estacode, yet it has not done anything to the subsidy thieves who stole the country broke.
“If there is any allegation, it should be investigated. The EFCC should work rather than play media shield.”
Also, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre on Monday called for probe of the bribery scandal.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by executive director of CISLAC, Mallam Auwal Ibrahim.
The statement called on the National Assembly and the
executive arm of government “not to let the current scandal serve as a
straw to bury the probe report under the carpet”.
It advised the leadership of the House to urgently
institute a thorough investigation into the alleged bribery and involve
anti-graft agencies to also probe the circumstances and reality of all
claims.
“Those indicted by the report may go to their wits’
end in order to rubbish an exercise that is widely applauded by
Nigerians in view of the nasty dealings it uncovered”, CISLAC said.
A lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, also on Monday expressed shock over the bribery allegation levelled against Lawan.
Sagay, who spoke with one of our correspondents on
Monday said the development was saddening, describing it as a tragedy
which spelled doom for the future of Nigeria. The Save Nigeria Group asked security operatives to invite both Otedola and Lawan for interrogation. Spokesman for the group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said
such an invitation was necessary to clear the air about the allegation
that Lawan collected $600,000 bribe from the oil marketer. Odumakin said if it was ascertained that money actually changed hands, the giver and the taker must be punished. He, however, advised Nigerians not to allow the issue to distract them from demanding the prosecution of the subsidy thieves. Odumakin said, “Both Otedola and Lawan should be
invited by security agencies to ascertain the veracity of this
allegation. If it is true that money changed hands, the giver and the
taker must be punished.
Nigerians must not allow this to distract them from the demand for the prosecution of the subsidy thieves which this latest video production by the Presidency clearly wants to achieve.”
Meanwhile, our correspondents learnt on Monday that the EFCC was planning to use Otedola as a prosecution witness against Lawan. Sources within the commission said though Otedola had
not been officially queried over the role he played in the bribery
saga, it was said that since he carried the security agencies along, he
might be used to nail the 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,” the
source added."PUNCH.
DEAR READERS, PLEASE READ BELOW AND SEE HOW WE ARE BEING PLAYED BY CORRUPT RULERS:
http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/06/12/i-reported-otedolas-bribe-to-police-and-efcc-in-april-farouk-lawan/
The Chairman of the House of Representatives
ad hoc committee which probed the management of the Fuel subsidy scheme,
Farouk Lawan on Monday said that he reported the $3 million bribe to
the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) law
enforcement agents as far back as April 24.
Documents released by National Assembly sources to the media, revealed that Mr Lawan allegedly informed the House Committee on Financial Crimes in a letter dated April 24, 2012, of pressures to offer him bribe to influence the outcome of the investigation into the fuel subsidy scheme.
In a letter to the leadership of the House, Mr Lawan also said his “life has been under constant threat since the fuel probe begun.”
Mr Lawan reported the bribe to the police following which the Inspector-General in a letter dated, May 9, 2012, directed a task force on investigation to meet him.The IGP in the letter with reference number CR:3000/IGP.SEC/STF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL 2/309 called Lawan’s attention to an interview he granted a national newspaper on April 28, 2012 and directed, “a discreet investigation into the matter.”
The letter was signed by the Commissioner of Police, Special Task Force, Ali Amodu.
He said that in another letter dated May 16, 2012 with reference number CR:3000/IGP.SEC/STF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL 2/319, and signed by Mr Amodu, the IGP requested money exhibit, names of witnesses and other material evidence from him.
Mr 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 actions.
After the correspondence between the IGP and Mr Lawan, the p in a letter to the Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, dated June 4, 2012, stated that a detailed criminal investigation had been ordered into the matter.
In 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.”
The Chairman, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited Femi Otedola said in some national dailies on Monday that Mr Lawan and the Secretary of the probe committee, Boniface Emenalo had collected $620,000 from him in a sting operation masterminded by the security agencies.
The amount, according to Mr Otedola, the amount was part payment of $3 million, which he alleged Mr Lawan had demanded from him to exonerate Zenon Oil from the probe committee’s report.
Mr Otedola said on April 21, the Saturday before the plenary, Mr Lawan came in person to his residence and collected $250,000 in cash, as the first instalment and on Monday April 23 “Lawan came and collected another $250,000.”
House vows to probe bribery
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives said it will investigate allegations of bribery levelled against Mr Lawan, saying it will not support underhand deal from any quarters.
The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Zakari Mohammed who disclosed this in a statement said, “While we await investigation into these weighty accusations, we wish to state without equivocation that this Honourable House will never take sides with corruption and we will always stand on the side of the rule of law. We cannot, for whatever reason, support any underhand dealing from any quarter.” By Channels Television
Published On: Tue, Jun 12th, 2012
"I reported Otedola’s bribe to Police and EFCC in April – Farouk Lawan
The Chairman of the Subsidy probe committee, Farouk Lawan
Documents released by National Assembly sources to the media, revealed that Mr Lawan allegedly informed the House Committee on Financial Crimes in a letter dated April 24, 2012, of pressures to offer him bribe to influence the outcome of the investigation into the fuel subsidy scheme.
In a letter to the leadership of the House, Mr Lawan also said his “life has been under constant threat since the fuel probe begun.”
Mr Lawan reported the bribe to the police following which the Inspector-General in a letter dated, May 9, 2012, directed a task force on investigation to meet him.The IGP in the letter with reference number CR:3000/IGP.SEC/STF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL 2/309 called Lawan’s attention to an interview he granted a national newspaper on April 28, 2012 and directed, “a discreet investigation into the matter.”
The letter was signed by the Commissioner of Police, Special Task Force, Ali Amodu.
He said that in another letter dated May 16, 2012 with reference number CR:3000/IGP.SEC/STF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL 2/319, and signed by Mr Amodu, the IGP requested money exhibit, names of witnesses and other material evidence from him.
Mr 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 actions.
After the correspondence between the IGP and Mr Lawan, the p in a letter to the Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, dated June 4, 2012, stated that a detailed criminal investigation had been ordered into the matter.
In 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.”
The Chairman, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited Femi Otedola said in some national dailies on Monday that Mr Lawan and the Secretary of the probe committee, Boniface Emenalo had collected $620,000 from him in a sting operation masterminded by the security agencies.
The amount, according to Mr Otedola, the amount was part payment of $3 million, which he alleged Mr Lawan had demanded from him to exonerate Zenon Oil from the probe committee’s report.
Mr Otedola said on April 21, the Saturday before the plenary, Mr Lawan came in person to his residence and collected $250,000 in cash, as the first instalment and on Monday April 23 “Lawan came and collected another $250,000.”
House vows to probe bribery
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives said it will investigate allegations of bribery levelled against Mr Lawan, saying it will not support underhand deal from any quarters.
The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Zakari Mohammed who disclosed this in a statement said, “While we await investigation into these weighty accusations, we wish to state without equivocation that this Honourable House will never take sides with corruption and we will always stand on the side of the rule of law. We cannot, for whatever reason, support any underhand dealing from any quarter.” By Channels Television
Reading the above, you will see how confusing this is. But on a closer look, you find that the articule alleged that Farouk "indeed accepted $500,000";
Then it went on to claim that
"Farouk and Emenalo, as the documents, mostly
correspondence, indicated, however let in the Acting Inspector-General of
Police, Mohammed Abubakar, into the “attempt” by Otedola to bribe them";
"
Please remember the use of the word “attempt”
Now read and note this part:
“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?”
And then this part:
“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.”
And then lastly this part:
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.";"The ad hoc committee
chairman also disclosed that the clerk of the committee, Emenalo, had in a
letter written to him on April 24, 2012, said Otedola offered him
$100,000"
Nigerians, note the use of “attempt”, “offered”.
And remember that we were previously informed that the bribe was "given
to Farouk at the airport".
The question we should be asking is who is behind all this misinformation?
On looking closer at the above article, you will also deduce that
it says both “Farouk and Emenalo, as the documents, mostly correspondence,
indicated, however let in the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed
Abubakar, into the “attempt” by Otedola to bribe them”.
So ask yourself when
was it a crime to report “offer” of bribe, “attempt” to bribe to the appropriate authorities?
Where is Femi Otedola and why was he been used as a witness
when he was the person named as the culprit who “attempt” to and “offered” a
bribe?
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL
ME WHAT FAROUK AND EMENALO HAVE DONE WRONG?
HAVEN’T THEY ALLEDGELY REPORTED THEIR ENCOUNTER TO THE APPROPRIATE
AUTHOURITY?
IS IT NOT THE JOB OF THE AUTHOURITY TO IMMEDIATELY ARREST
THE PERSON WHO ALLEDGELY OFFERED THE BRIBE?
DIDN’T THIS ARTICULE CONFIRM THAT EFFORTS WERE MADE TO
DISTRUST DUE PROCESS DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE OIL SUBSIDY SCANDAL?
AND CRUCIALLY, DOES THE REPORT APPEAR TO FAVOUR THE PERSON
WHO OFFERED THE BRIBE?
DID THE OIL SUBSIDY REPORT SHOW ANY SLIGHT INDICATION THAT
FAROUK AND EMENALO WERE INFLUENCED BY THE ALLEDGE BRIBE?
THE CABAL ARE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR “ATTEMPT” TO “OFFERED”
BRIBE IN ORDER TO DISTRUST THE OIL SUBSIDY SCANDAL REPORT FROM BEING RELEASED
TO THE PUBLIC.
DID FAROUK AND EMENALO NOT RELEASE THE OIL SCANDAL REPORT
THAT CLEARLY EXPOSES THOSE THAT ARE STEALING HUGE TRILLIONS FROM OUR NATION
WEALTH TO YOU AND I?
DID FAROUK AND HIS TEAM FAIL US?
AND WHERE IS THE SO CALLED TAPE RECORDING OF THE BRIBE
ALLEGATION?
HOW COME FAROUK AND EMENALO ARE NOW BEING SUBJECTED TO RIDICULE
EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT BEING CHARGED FOR TAKING PART IN ANY CRIME?
CAN’T YOU SEE THIS IS A DISTRACTION?
ANY REASONABLE PERSON WILL INSIST THAT THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT
STEALING OUR NATIONAL WEALTH SHOULD BE ARRESTED BY NOW?
WHY IS THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT NOT ARRESTING THEM?
WHEN IS THE PROSECUTION GOING TO START?
WHY IS THE PRESIDENT NOT FIGHTING CORRUPTION
OR DECLARING
HIS ASSET ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF THE LAND?
OMG, NIGERIANS WHEN ARE WE GOING TO STOP AIDING THOSE WHO
ARE KILLERS OF DREAMS?
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO START ASKING THE CORRECT QUESTIONS AND
KEEP RECORDS OF EVENTS?
WHY DO WE FORGET SO QUICKLY FOR GOD SAKE?
NIGERIA APPEARS TO BE THE MOST RELIGIOUS IN THE WORLD.
YET, EVIDENCE CLEARLY SHOWS THAT WE HERO WORSHIP KILLERS, THIEVES, SPONSORS OF
TERRORISTS, KIDNAPPERS, CHILD-MOLESTERS AS LONG AS MONEY IS INVOLVED.
WHY SHOULD WE THEN BE SURPRISED THAT DISASTERS HAS BEFALLING
US AS A NATION?
WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR WAYS AND BEHAVIOUR FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL;
CAN GOD BE MOCKED?NIGERIANS AWAKE, DON'T LET CABALS DESTROY THIS CASE AS THEY HAVE DONE TO SO MANY OTHER CORRUPT CASES IN THE PAST.
NIGERIANS BE AWAKE!!!
UPDATE 15.6/2012: This is one reporting that we can keep for our records. Please assimilate and consider contents rather than sentiments. Thank you
NIGERIANS BE AWAKE!!!
UPDATE 15.6/2012: This is one reporting that we can keep for our records. Please assimilate and consider contents rather than sentiments. Thank you
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