Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Drugs/Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Mr. Adams Jagaba, on Thursday threatened to sue Mr. Farouk Lawan for “blackmail” over the raging $620,000 bribery allegation.

The lawmaker from Kaduna State addressed journalists shortly after the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges quizzed him over the bribery allegation.

He said, “I cannot and shall never be involved in an individualistic act that runs antithetical to national interest.

“Lawan should stop this blackmail forthwith or else, I will have no option but to take the appropriate legal action against him and to seek compensation befitting my status.

“Enough is enough.”

Lawan had admitted receiving the bribe money from oil businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola.

He claimed that he planned to expose Otedola, who wanted his firm, Zenon Oil and Gas Limited, de-listed from the list of firms indicted by the fuel subsidy probe report.

Lawan chaired the Ad hoc Committee on Monitoring of the Subsidy Regime, which investigated the fuel subsidy scheme in April.

According to Lawan, after receiving the money, he reported the issue to Jagaba in writing and attached $500,000 to the letter he handed over to him.

However, Jagaba has consistently denied receiving any letter or money from Lawan.

He said because Lawan had been “rattled” and “confused” by the scandal, he wrote a letter at 3.47am but “forgot to deliver the letter to the intended recipient (Jagaba)”.

Jagaba said Lawan “chose to give it to a newspaper reporter and the Police Special Task Force” instead.

On Thursday, he stated that the first time he saw the letter was in a publication by the Leadership of June 14.

Jagaba confirmed that he was a guest of the police for two hours on the said date and gave his “own side of the story on the bribery scandal investigation”.

He also said on July 11 the STF arranged a meeting between him and Lawan between 3pm and 4pm.

He said, “In his opening remarks, (Lawan) stated that he reported the matter to me because of my position as the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes and not because I was involved in the bribery saga.

“He also told the police that he involved me in the matter because he thinks that that would enhance his case in court.

“We faced each other before the STF. I then put the question: ‘Hon. Farouk, did you give me $500,000 or any money for that matter?’

“This was a question the outspoken Farouk could not answer. He kept mum till I left.”

Jagaba, who praised the STF for treating him “professionally”, also confirmed that he appeared before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Thursday.

As already reported exclusively by The PUNCH, the panel, which is headed by Mr. Gambo Lawan, quizzed Jagaba on the matter.

He admitted telling the panel that “I have no knowledge of such transactions and I am not in custody of any money or any other exhibit given to me by Farouk or any other person.”

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.”