Femi Otedola, Founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, has said that a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, demanded $500,000 bribe from him. Lawan was former Chairman of the House of Representatives committee that probed the multi-billion naira fuel subsidy fraud by the seventh Assembly.
The former lawmaker is accused of receiving money from Otedola to remove Zenon from the list of oil companies allegedly involved in the fuel subsidy fraud. He was charged by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for allegedly receiving bribe.
During the hearing of the case at a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Abuja yesterday, Adegboyega Awomolo, counsel to the Federal Government, played the tape showing Lawan receiving the said sum.
While giving his testimony, Otedola said Lawan removed Zenon from the list of indicted oil companies after he collected the money, adding that $2.5 million was the balance he was expected to pay the ex-lawmaker. According to Otedola, “I could not have put him under pressure because Zenon Oil was not involved in the theft of subsidy funds. “If he did not demand (for money), why will he collect the $500,000 and was expecting $2.5 million? He did mention to me that the $3 million was going to be shared by himself and other officers of the house. “I did not offer any $3 million. I was one of the biggest players in the business and I reported the matter when I found out about the scam. “He did mention to me that several companies involved were paying and I reported to the DSS.” After Awomolo finished quizzing Otedola, L . Azuka, a lawyer from the chambers of Mike Ozekhome, counsel to Lawan, asked the court for an adjournment. Trial judge, Angela Otaluka, adjourned the matter till January 28, 2019.
