There was another twist yesterday in the back and front allegation involving the embattled Rep. Faruk Lawan when the oil tycoon, Femi Otedola, yesterday, strengthened his case by submitting a viable evidence of audio and video tape to the Nigerian Police on how Lawan got the first part payment of the bribe and how he requested for the balance.
An inside source disclosed yesterday that apart from the submission of the video and audio tapes to the police, he had explained to the IG on how Faruk and other top Rep. members had pressurized him on the payment of the outstanding bribe money. He affirmed that the other members were to be settled as claimed by Faruk.
At the moment, political leaders and stakeholders from Lawan’s constituency have all distant themselves from him, stating that the bribery allegation was a total shame being brought upon the entire constituency that he represents.
On the other hand, the Nigerian Labour Congress had warned that the bribery allegation should not be used as a distraction, emphasizing that the recommendations of the Faruk Lawan’s Committee on the subsidy regime should be implemented as fast as possible.
On the other hand, the House of Representative had an emergency call last night on how to respond to the new revelation that is almost denting the image of the entire House. One of the most popular options available to the rep. members was to bring forward their date of resumption which had earlier be scheduled for Tueday.
It was reported that Otedola, Chairman of Zenon Petroleum made an appearance before the Special Task Force put in place by the Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar at about 11 a.m. yesterday where he had further disclosed to the Panel how Lawan collected $500, 000 in cash and the Secretary of the committee, Boniface Emenalo collected $120, 000 in part as he paid twice.
He presented to the panel a video recording showing where Lawan was collecting the $500,000 in his residence. He had asserted that the money in marked notes was provided by the SSS. He had affirmed that after the money had been collected Lawan had bugged him on several occasions on the balance.
Otedola had stated further that the pressure mounted on him by Lawan for the balance was due to the fact that he had to settle other members as disclosed to him by Lawan himself.
He had disclosed to the police that all the conversation involving him and Lawan on how to get the balance back was recorded in an audio tape. He however submitted both the audio and the video formats of the transaction to the police yesterday.
An inside source had further revealed thus: ”Farouk put pressure and kept on calling for the balance and when the pressure became unbearable, Otedola said that the two agreed that the balance should be flown in a chartered plane to Abuja. However, on the day the money was to come, Farouk said he would be in plenary and gave Otedola a name and phone number of somebody who would meet him for the money.”
A senior police officer had also explained on how Lawan and the other members of the house objected to handing over the alleged money to the Nigerian police: “First of all, the money was at no time handed over to the Inspector General of Police. Secondly, we have asked Hon. Lawan and the House to hand over the money to us and so far they have refused.
“We are told that the money will be kept as exhibit and only presented in a court of law. The question arising now is when has the House of Representatives become a security agency. What about the fear of tampering with the money, how do we guard against it if the money remains with the House?”
The source equally affirmed that the money could be retrieved from the House of Rep. as soon as police boss returns from his trip. According to him, “The IGP who is the one investigating the scandal is currently on official assignment outside the FCT. As soon as he comes back, he will give us directives on what to do and we will take it from there”.
It was gathered that Otedola’s appearance before the Police yesterday was out of his own free will as he was not summoned by the Police or anybody .
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