Lawan, Emenalo To Face Trial

Farouk Lawan, the lawmaker in the centre of the cash-for-clearance scandal, is to face trial.

It was gathered that the STF, headed by CP Ali Amodu, concluded its investigation after last week’s grilling of the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotics, Drugs and Financial Crimes, Mr. Adam Jagaba.

It was learnt that after Jagaba’s statement on oath and the consideration of other bends of the investigation, the STF established a prima facie case against Lawan and Emenalo.

The former Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Petrol Subsidy management allegedly collected a $620,000 bribe.

Sources said police investigation into the scandal has been concluded and the report of the Special Task Force (STF) will be sent to Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar and Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke this week.

The lawmaker admitted collecting the cash from businessman Femi Otedola to, according to him, prove that the oil magnate mounted pressure on him to take the money and remove his company from the list of those indicted in the subsidy fund probe.

But Otedola said it was all a sting operation he undertook with security operatives following pressure on him by Lawan.

Lawan might be arraigned alongside the former Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo.

But the whereabouts of the cash remain unknown. It may be resolved when Lawan is taken to court.