Farouk in a statement divulged to the House of Representatives Committee on Monitoring of Subsidy Regime, had divulged that he actually collected “money” and “not bribe” as purportedly held.
The embattled Rep. Member had clearly established his position when he appeared before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Thursday.
The committee, held by Mr. Gambo Musa is currently investigating the $620,000 bribery allegation.
Investigation had revealed that the panel interrogated Lawan for over four hours beginning from when Lawan appeared before the committee around 1pm.
Our correspondent had learnt that Farouk carefully established a distinction between the money he collected from Otedola and bribe. According to him he only collected money and not bribe.
In his argument, Farouk had stated that he collected the money with the plan to further expose Otedola.
A source close to committed had stated thus , “He told the committee that he took money to expose Otedola, as different from a bribe.
“In the statement he issued, where he admitted taking the money, he drew the attention of the committee to the fact that he was careful with his choice of words.
“Bribe was not mentioned in the statement, but money. Money he took to expose Otedola.”
Lawan had also provided evidences including text messages and call logs to the panel, stating that the transaction between him and Otedola goes beyond the two of them.
“From what he tendered, it seemed the transaction was not initiated by him.
“So, what the committee has decided to do is to confront the other parties to the case with the information Lawan has divulged”, the source, who pleaded anonymity, added.
Asked whether Lawan was in possession of the $620,000, the source said he replied that “a lot more information will be made available as the police and other agencies continue with their investigations. The truth is there.”
“Lawan has information and documents; he has text messages; he has call logs and other evidence.
“The committee didn’t want other witnesses to take advantage of a public appearance and work on their own testimonies.
“The committee wants to throw Lawan’s claims on other witnesses to see how they will respond.
“In that way, some conflicting information may come to the fore.
“The other witnesses too will be heard in camera and will be accorded the same protection as Lawan”, the source stated.
Report had stated that Lawan will be invited for further investigation if the testimonies of those indicted puncture his own.
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