FORMER chairman of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee that probed the fuel subsidy management, Honourable Farouk Lawan, on Thursday sneaked into the National Assembly, declaring that the alleged $3 million bribery scandal hanging on his neck was predestined by God and that he would be vindicated at the end of the day.

The lawmaker, who wore blue agbada and cap to match, managed to enter the green chamber while lawmakers were debating the bill on decentralisation of prisons in the country.

Lawan, who entered the chamber around 1.00 p.m. and left about 1.24 p.m., held talks with the Deputy Leader of the House, Honourable Leo Ogor and few other lawmakers before rushing out of the chamber while the debate on the prison bill was still in progress.

The chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas Limited, Mr Femi Otedola, had claimed that the sum of $620,000 was given to Lawan and the clerk of the committee, Mr Boniface Emenalo, from the agreed $3 million the parties settled for in dollar for clearance deal.

Efforts by the lawmaker to dodge and dissuade reporters from asking him questions were rebuffed, as cameramen doggedly followed him, bombarding him with questions.

Bellow are the excerpts of Lawan's encounter with the newsmen:

Reporters: Sir, you've not been around for the past three days, where have you been?
Lawan: (Silence)

Reporters: What happened to your voice sir?
Lawan: (Silence)

Reporters: What has the experience been like?
Lawan: (Silence)

Reporters: What is your take on your suspension sir?
Lawan: (Silence)

Reporters: Are you relinquishing your position as the leader of the Integrity Group sir?
Lawan: (Silence)

Reporters: Sir, you are not talking.
Lawan: (Silence)

Reporters: Sir, what is your take on the resolution of the House suspending you as the chairman ad hoc committee on subsidy management probe and as substantive chairman, House Committee on Education?
Lawan: Well, first of all, I think it is important to note that I have been a member of the House of Representatives in the last 13 years and, of course, together with several of my colleagues, past and present, we have done so much to build the House of Representatives as an institution that should enjoy the respect and confidence of Nigerians and whatever the decision taken by the House of Representatives. I believe it is meant to ensure the credibility of the institution, because as members, we must at all times recognise that the institution is bigger than each and everyone of us.

“It is an institution that belongs to this country; it is an institution which Nigerians look after for good legislations, for oversight responsibilities, for quality representation and it is an institution that must continue to give hope and confidence to the Nigerian people, so whenever any issue comes to question on any particular member, it is important to recognise that the institution itself is bigger than each and everyone of us. And so, the decision of the House of Representatives is a collective decision of an institution and I have absolutely no problem with that decision.

“As far as the issue relating to me is concerned, I believe ultimately that I will be vindicated. I just urge Nigerians to continue to be patient.

I have not spoken on the issue for strategic reasons, but I believe that at the end, Nigerians will come to believe and to see that for the 13 years that I have invested in championing good governance, accountability and probity in this country, that this last trial is a trial from God and I believe in the end we shall prevail.”
Moves by reporters to probe further, however, met a brick wall as the lawmaker left without making any further comment.

Meanwhile, the House has said that it will not join issues in the media with Mr Otedola, declaring him as guilty as Lawan until the completion of investigation into the alleged bribery scandal.

The chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Honourable Zakari Mohammed, stated this at a media briefing, saying that Otdeola's response to the resolution of the House was "laughable and a celebration of corruption."

According to him,"everybody's antecedence in Nigeria is known. We know the emergency millionaires, and how they started their businesses. As an institution, we are not going to join issues with him.”

I have been a member of the House of Representatives in the last 13 years
...it is an institution which Nigerians look after for good legislations, for oversight responsibilities, for quality representation and it is an institution that must continue to give hope and confidence to the Nigerian people

talk true:

Been there for more than 4 tenures, has he given us hope and confidence?

sadyeek: [size=16pt]a man is going to (killed for stealing 2000 naira, while another who is accused of bribery in the millions can strol into NASS anytime he wants, were is justic?[/size]

Spirit of Okija: 13 years of Criminality in the House of Assembly!!

Obasanjo called them Criminals, and people thought he was mad.. #Whose mad now?!

sadyeek: [size=16pt]a man is going to (killed for stealing 2000 naira, while another who is accused of bribery in the millions can strol into NASS anytime he wants, were is justic?[/size]

sadyeek: [size=16pt]a man is going to (killed for stealing 2000 naira, while another who is accused of bribery in the millions can strol into NASS anytime he wants, were is justic?[/size]

Enoquin: An act of God? So God wanted 'Hon' Farouk to take bribe, get caught and then be vindicated later? How great is God indeed

Enoquin: An act of God? So God wanted 'Hon' Farouk to take bribe, get caught and then be vindicated later? How great is God indeed

sadyeek: [size=16pt]a man is going to (killed for stealing 2000 naira, while another who is accused of bribery in the millions can strol into NASS anytime he wants, were is justic?[/size]

Well, first of all, I think it is important to note that I have been a member of the House of Representatives in the last 13 years

zuchyblink: except living 4eva,noting is impossible in nigeria maybe the man don settle dem

sadyeek: [size=16pt]a man is going to (killed for stealing 2000 naira, while another who is accused of bribery in the millions can strol into NASS anytime he wants, were is justic?[/size]