After several months of delays, criminal charges will be filed against the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Education, Farouk Lawan, the prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), has informed THISDAY.
Lawan, who was also the Chairman of the House Ad Hoc Committee on the Monitoring of the Fuel Subsidy Scheme, had been accused by the Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Femi Otedola, of demanding and accepting a bribe of $620,000 to alter the report of the committee, in which Zenon had been indicted.

Speaking with this newspaper on the phone, Awomolo said that the delay in filing the charges was caused by the need to do a thorough investigation and block all loopholes to make sure that the prosecution presents a water tight case in court.

According to him, the police have since carried out further investigations and came up with additional materials that could assist the prosecutor in the case.

He explained that Lawan would have his day in court but said that the state could not be pushed into rushing to court only to have the case dismissed for lack of adequate preparation.

Awomolo also reacted to the request by Lagos lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, to prosecute the case, saying: “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, under the constitution and the law carries with it both national and international responsibilities with respect to prosecution of offenders.

“It appears there is a grand plan by some people to secure for the accused person cheap judgment of acquittal, because once this frivolous private prosecution fails, the accused will be discharged and acquitted and be free forever.

“Then they will turn round to blame the AGF who has been diligent in handling the case.

“Why the sudden interest? First, he (Keyamo) does not have any record of investigation by the police. Besides, there is no such law as Section 129(1)(a) of the ICPC Act. Keyamo wants to frustrate the prosecution. He is making a deliberate effort to frustrate the prosecution of Lawan.

“He is also making attempts to frustrate justice and blackmail the AGF. There is no basis for what he is doing.

“The law has moved away from Keyamo’s standpoint. The police have done more work and by next week, we will go to court.
“The AGF appreciates the public interest generated by this matter and assures Nigerians that in the next few days, the prosecution will begin. It will be done diligently and professionally. The delay is in the interest of justice.

“For the AGF as a leader of the bar and a leader of cabinet, it is important for him to act most diligently, observing the rule of law and all international protocols relating to prosecution.

“He is not to be seen as a persecutor but a prosecutor. A persecutor goes to the press to blackmail, intimidate and bring to disrepute the suspect who is presumed to be innocent under our law.

“Whereas a prosecutor must ensure that there is proper investigation with verifiable facts and evidence on the record before proceeding to court.

“The AGF will not react to the noise of the market in order to bring a Nigerian to court for crimes because a criminal allegation has various dimensions: the accused person, his life and personality, his family and relation and associates, the interest of the general public which is represented by law, and lastly, the integrity of the administration of the criminal justice.

“All these factors must be considered before bringing an accused person to court.”
Awomolo insisted that AGF would not play to the gallery, adding that a criminal investigation is not a frivolous thing. “It is also not an opportunity to play to the gallery,” he stressed.

Following the expiration of the ultimatum to the police to charge Lawan, Keyamo had last Wednesday prepared a draft charge against Lawan.

The draft charge, which was sent to the AGF, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), was accompanied by a letter requesting the AGF to indicate whether he was prepared to prosecute or not.

He had attached to the criminal charge proof of evidence, a recording of a telephone conversation between Lawan and Otedola contained in a memory card wherein Lawan had allegedly solicited or asked for gratification to doctor his report, and appealed to Otedola to keep it secret.


http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/prosecutor-farouk-lawan-s-trial-starts-this-week/137676/

Ok! Better late than never. I hope he doesn't get just a slap on the wrist...

@Op: You suppose quote ur source na...

Have they finished trying all the governors from the 1999-2007 set that are now in the senate? Come 2015, Farouk will still be a free man.

Abeg wen dem go try Governor T.A Orji? Cos Faruk dey innocent where ppl like Orji dey involve. 3rd to comment sha!

garri (x8):
Ok! Better late than never.I hope he doesn't get just a slap on the wrist...
..

Lmao........you already know how its gonna end......

Where is the court? Naija abi? Don't worry 6months later, he'll be declared innocent . mtcheew

who's Farouk? is he the next President of Nigeria?

What a shame? I used to know this short man as Mr. Integrity abi na due process? Never knew he was just a common criminal like the rest of them.

#yawns#



just woke up.... cold wan kill me here......


ehen... back to farouq, we all know how this is going to end, but at least they are trying.....

So am not the first to comment.......okay oooo#anyway wen is the former house of Reps speaker trial coming up

Kamsy10: Where is the court? Naija abi? Don't worry 6months later, he'll be declared innocent . mtcheew

Six months or 6 days

Why is it that the name of the bribe giver (Mr. otedola)is not mentioned as one of the accused? This is pure selective justice. Both the giver and taker must face the wrath of the law no matter whose ox is gored. Is it because Mr. Otedola has presidential connection? This is total rubbish. There is no basis for this whatsoever.

Na now day break? Hissssssssssss

We know how it will end jare. My problem with these ppl is why they should still be wasting our precious time with all this 'noise'

Na who be Facroak Abeg!

are they also gonna give him 250,000naira bail?

Anybody who's hope is being risen by this is gonna be so so disappionted!! It's just gonna be a few days of t.v time in front of a judge with efcc branding their guns and red vest, arriving with him in their van. The press will be in a frenzy taking pictures, and after a few days , it'll all be history. If you don't belive me ask oladimeji bankole!!

NO Story ! Its not ending anywhere.

6 months imprisonment or option of 150 000 to avoid jail. No expect anytin else.

Wonder why we re forgetting Zenon oil/Femi otedola in this film...cause his definitely covering something 2!

I wil nt b supris if he (farouq) coms out free. Afterall, nigerian judiciary system is asleep. Ibori was discharge n acquited here, bt found guilty somewhere. Henry was set free bt was sentenced in SA. Farouk's may nt b different even with enof evidenc to proof him guilty... Sowi for d poor masses. D last hop for d common man is nw going to d highest bidder. Mitcheewwww....

Our judiciary / lawyers re too corrupts. This judgement ll nt or neva b judge sincerely as in they d organised & selected judges ll nt passed concret judgement on those corrupts hunters dt is among those destroying d Nigeria economy...... As least, 22 yrs sentence or 100billion naira as alternative dt all !, bliv me nairalanders, this charges is jst 4mality bc d pipo involved re corrupts pillars of Naija, they ll leave dem soon. Tnk u

if not for the pressure & ultimatum keyamo gave the police & the AGF,THE CASE WAS ALREADY SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET.now they will use delay tactics & adjourn till end of next elections.what a country.

...another way to give the man media hype again.

So if Festus Kayamo no talk them, no for set date for court hearing abi, anyway wayo AGF we they watch u and ur ABJ boiz

When is Orji Uzor Kalu and T.A Orji going to have their day in court

if this facrooq lawal is not thoroughly prosecuted for his offences and jailed-we will organize a one million man march and block the road to the house of assembly and Aso rock.Nigerians we must ensure this useless dumb,spoiled brat goes to jail for his crimes.he is an embarrassment to Nigeria.i spit on him and the AGF-so shameful.

Another nollywood in the making full of suspense and comedy

So after kayamo threatened to sue their irresponsible asses, they decided a day in court against lawan was better than having their asses dragged to court for not prosecuting him. If this is the only way to get justice in Nigeria, then big thank you to kayamo.

I will be watching