Former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan has been released after serving a five-year prison sentence for soliciting and receiving a $300,000 bribe from businessman Femi Otedola. He was freed from the Kuje Correctional Facility in Abuja 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 statement.
He expressed his appreciation for the support of friends and family during this “particularly trying phase” of his life. “My gratitude is deep; I’m alive, in good health, and high spirits to be with my family, friends, and associates. I don’t take that for granted,” he said.
Lawan, who previously chaired the House of Representatives Committee on Fuel Subsidy, received the sentence for soliciting the bribe while investigating the multi-billion naira fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.
In 2021, the Court of Appeal in Abuja sentenced him to five years in prison but discharged him on two of the three counts of corruption brought against him by the Federal Government. He was also ordered to refund $500,000 to the Federal Government.
Lawan appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, but in its January 2024 judgment, the apex court upheld the lower court’s verdict.
Justice Tijjani Abubakar delivered the lead judgment, which had been prepared by Justice John Okoro, stating that Lawan’s appeal lacked merit, resulting in its dismissal.