The House of Representatives, on Friday, suspended its member, Farouk Lawan, over allegation that he received $620,000 bribe to clear oil marketer, Femi Otedola’s companies from the list of indicted firms accused in fuel subsidy scam.
Lawan and Otedola have admitted the exchange took place, but both claim to have acted to expose the other’s attempt at taking or paying bribe to influence the report of the House adhoc committee on fuel subsidy management.
Police detained Lawan, on Thursday, after initially questioning Otedola on Tuesday.
The lawmaker did not attend the session on Friday.
The House said Lawan will no longer head the subsidy committee and the House Education Committee. The subsidy committee is now headed by John Enoh, who is currently the chairman House Appropriation Committee.
In addition, Lawan will be investigated by the House Ethics Committee, while the committee’s former clerk, Boniface Emenalo, who is accused of receiving $120,000, part of the bribe, is referred to the National Assembly management for disciplinary action.
Also, the two companies belonging to Otedola, which were earlier cleared from the scheme, were re-listed alongside those indicted, and the House maintained it stood by the report of the subsidy.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said the incident did not highlight the position of the House, and will not deter the chamber from pressing ahead with other investigations.
“We must never, repeat never, be cowed or intimidated by any form or colour of antics that may be fashioned with intent to dampen our spirits and or break our resolve,” he said.
He urged the executive to implement the subsidy report which the House insists it stands by. “While we consider it preposterous and hasty to dismiss the current bribery allegations, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations, including our in-house investigation just instituted, we reject in totality insinuations being orchestrated in some media to the effect that the allegations have eroded the integrity of the resolutions of the House on the report and rendered same unworthy of implementation,” he said.-DAILYTIMES
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