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Thursday 12 June 2014

Alleged $620,000 bribe: Farouk Lawan, Emenalo re-arraigned

A former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime and its ex-Secretary, Farouk Lawan, and Boniface Emenalo, were re-arraigned yesterday before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gudu, Abuja.

They are facing a seven-count charge for allegedly receiving $620,000 bribe from the Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas, Mr Femi Otedola.

The two allegedly took the bribe to exclude the names of Otedola’s companies – Zenon Petroleum and Gas as well as Synopsis Enterprises Limited – from the list of companies said to have defrauded the Federal Government of billions of naira.

The accused were earlier arraigned on the same charge before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi (formerly of the FCT High Court, Maitama) before his elevation to the Court of Appeal some months ago.

Justice Oniyangi’s elevation led to the transfer of the case to a new judge – Justice Adebukola Banjoko – before whom the accused took their fresh pleas yesterday.

When the case was called, lead prosecution lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), told the court that the accused were to plead to the charge afresh.

When the judge asked if there was any application pending at the Court of Appeal on the matter, Awomolo answered in the negative. The lead defence lawyer, O. Jolaawo, confirmed same.
After listening to the charge, Lawan and Emenalo pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Jolaawo later applied to the court to enable the accused continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted them by the former trial judge. Awomolo did not object to the application.

Justice Banjoko, however, insisted on sighting the three men, who stood surety for the accused, before the earlier bail was granted, to know if they were willing to remain the sureties.

The case was stood down on that note to allow the sureties, who were not in court, to physically appear in court.

About an hour later, the proceedings resumed, following the arrival of the three sureties in court. Justice Banjoko asked them if they were willing to remain sureties for the accused, and they affirmed.

The judge ordered Lawan and Emenalo to remain on the earlier bail granted by Justice Oniyangi and adjourned till July 7 for further hearing.
 
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