Connect with us

Lifestyle

$500,000 Bribery: Why judge believes Femi Otedola over Farouk Lawan’s testimony

Published

5 years ago

on

The judge dismissed Mr Lawan’s account and believed Mr Otedola’s version of the story in her judgment on Tuesday.

Angela Otaluka, the judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Apo, Abuja, on Tuesday, sent a former federal lawmaker, Farouk Lawan, to jail for bribery on Tuesday.

In arriving at the decision sentencing Mr Lawan to seven years jail term, the judge relied heavily on the testimony of billionaire oil magnate, Femi Otedola, who was a principal character in the bribery scandal that broke out in 2012.

During the trial, both men admitted that $500,000 changed hands between them, but each of them claimed he gave or collected the money in a discreet operation to obtain evidence of crime against the other.

Ms Otaluka dismissed Mr Lawan’s account and believed Mr Otedola’s version of the story in her judgment on Tuesday.

This is why:

Testimonies

The bribery scandal was a fallout of the probe conducted by Mr Lawan-led ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives on the multi-billion naira fraud in the federal government’s fuel subsidy scheme in 2012.

Mr Otedola’s firm, Zenon Oil and Gas Ltd, was accused by the committee of fraudulently benefitting from the scheme.

The committee alleged that Zenon Oil obtained $230 million foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly referred to as petrol under the subsidy scheme, but failed to use it for the purpose.

But in the charges subsequently filed in court, the federal government accused Mr Lawan of corruptly demanding $3milion and eventually taking $500,000 as bribe from Mr Otedola to exonerate Zenon Oil of the oil subsidy fraud

While testifying as the fifth and prosecution witness in Mr Lawan’s trial, however, Mr Otedola told the judge that none of his firms participated in the fuel subsidy scheme, saying Mr Lawan only put Zenon’s name on the list of indicted firms “to create a room to extort him”.

Led in evidence by the head of the prosecution, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Otedola walked the court through the journey of his encounters with Mr Lawan, whom he said demanded to clear Zenon Oil.

“I eventually contacted the Department of the State Security (DSS) when he (Mr Lawan) asked me for $3 million bribe.

“The DSS gave me the marked currencies and six operatives and gadget which we used to put him on tape,” Mr Otedola said.

During the trial, the prosecution played a video clip showing where Mr Lawan was seen receiving a swollen envelope which was said to have contained the $500,000 from Mr Otedola.

Mr Otedola said “Mr Lawan went on to remove his firm from the list of the indicted firms after receiving the $500,000 cash”.

“After the early hours of April 24, 2012, (the time the money was paid) he left and removed the name of Zenon from the list of indicted companies,” Mr Otedola said.

Lawan’s version

On his part, Mr Lawan, who testified along with two others as defence witnesses, said he obtained the money from Mr Otedola as evidence of moves made by owners of various indicted companies to induce him and members of his committee to exonerate their firms.

The secretary of the committee, Boniface Emenalo, who was initially charged as Mr Lawan’s co-accused but later turned to a prosecution witness, also admitted under cross-examination by Mike Ozekhome-led defence team that he took $100,000 from Mr Otedola as “evidence of inducement”.

But Mr Otedola denied pressuring the committee members to accept bribe to free his firm from indictment.

He said he chose to report Mr Lawan to the State Security Service after he baselessly indicted his company and then come arround to demand bribe to exonerate the company.

“I could not have put pressure on him because Zenon Oil was not involved in the theft of the subsidy fund.

“He did demand. And if he did not demand, why will he collect and expect a balance of $2.5 million? He mentioned to me that the $3 million will be shared by himself and some other members of the House,” Mr Otedola said.

Judge decides

In evaluating the evidence before the court, Ms Otaluka said Mr Lawan failed to impugn the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, including Mr Otedola.

She said Mr Lawan’s acceptance of the $500,000 from Mr Otedola could not have been for anti-corruption purpose “since he neither reported it to any law enforcement agency nor informed any of his committee members about it.”

“The defendant did not impugn Mr Otedola’s evidence in the course of his (Mr Lawan’s) defence.

“The conduct of the defendant established the ingredients of corruption as he did not report any case of inducement to any law enforcement agency.

“From the abundance of the evidence before me, the defendant corruptly asked for a bribe of three million dollars.

“He collected the sum of 500,000 dollars from Mr Otedola, while expecting a balance of $2.5 million.

“The defendant’s corrupt intention was the motive behind his ignoble conduct, rather than his defence that he collected the money from Mr Otedola in order to make an example of the fight against corruption.

“The defendant never told any of his committee members about the fact that he had collected the sum of $500,000 as evidence of inducement as he never called them as witnesses in the suit,” the judge noted,” the judge said.

“It was a clear case of demanding and receiving bribe to pervert the course of justice,” the judge said also quoting the testimony of a police investigator.

The judge took a further swipe at Mr Lawan.

“The receipt of $500,000 influenced the defendant’s action to hurriedly go to the House of Representatives and remove Zenon Oil Gas company from the list of indicted in the fuel subsidy scam in Nigeria,” Ms Otaluka said.

In her overall assessment of the testimonies of Mr Lawan and his two other defence witnesses, the judge held they were “unreliable.”

“The totality of the evidence of Defence Witnesses (DW) 1 and 3 is worthless. For over 10 minutes, DW 1 could not compose himself, and he muttered about his position at his place of work. Their evidence is not attributed any credibility.

“When DW1 was put under cross-examination, his initial claim of being a legal practitioner was discredited. He could not tell the court what he knew about the defendant’s case,” the judge said.

Culled from the Premium Times Nigeria 

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Lifestyle

Burbank Marriage Unravels After Woman Allegedly Used Tracking Devices to Monitor Husband

Published

2 weeks ago

on

December 27, 2025

By

Burbank, Calif. — What began as a seemingly happy two-year marriage ended in confrontation and police involvement after a Burbank woman allegedly used multiple electronic tracking devices to monitor her husband’s movements, authorities and sources familiar with the situation said.

According to information obtained by this outlet, the marriage between Amos and Yolanda deteriorated after Yolanda allegedly placed Apple AirTags, Tile trackers, and a GPS tracking device on Amos’ vehicle and personal belongings without his knowledge. The devices reportedly allowed her to monitor his location in real time and reconstruct his daily movements across the city.

Friends of the couple said the marriage appeared stable during its early years, with the pair often seen together at community events and social gatherings. However, tensions reportedly escalated when Yolanda began confronting Amos about his whereabouts, referencing locations and timelines he had not shared with her.

The situation reached a breaking point when Yolanda allegedly tracked Amos to an apartment complex in Burbank, where she believed he had gone without informing her. Sources say she arrived at the location shortly after he did, leading to a heated confrontation in the parking area of the building. Neighbors, alarmed by raised voices, contacted local authorities.

Burbank police responded to the scene and separated the parties. While no arrests were immediately announced, the incident marked the effective end of the couple’s marriage, according to individuals close to Amos.

Legal experts note that the unauthorized use of tracking devices may raise serious privacy and stalking concerns under California law, depending on intent and consent. Law enforcement officials have not publicly disclosed whether an investigation remains ongoing.

The case underscores growing concerns about the misuse of consumer tracking technology, originally designed to help locate lost items, but increasingly implicated in domestic disputes and surveillance-related allegations.

As of publication, neither Amos nor Yolanda had publicly commented on the incident.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Kaduna Governor Commissions Nigeria’s First 100-Building Prefabricated Housing Estate

Published

2 months ago

on

November 14, 2025

By

Kaduna, Nigeria – November 6, 2025 — In a major milestone for Nigeria’s housing sector, the Governor of Kaduna State has commissioned a 100-unit mass housing estate developed by Family Homes and executed by Karmod Nigeria, marking the first-ever large-scale prefabricated housing project in the country.

Completed in under six months, the innovative project demonstrates the power of modern prefabricated construction to deliver high-quality, affordable homes at record speed — a sharp contrast to traditional building methods that often take years.

Each of the 100 units in the estate is designed for a lifespan exceeding 50 years with routine maintenance. The development features tarred access roads, efficient drainage systems, clean water supply, and steady electricity, ensuring a modern and comfortable living environment for residents.

According to Family Homes, the project represents a new era in Nigeria’s mass housing delivery, proving that cutting-edge technology can accelerate the provision of sustainable and cost-effective homes for Nigerians.

“With prefabricated technology, we can drastically reduce construction time while maintaining top-quality standards,” said a spokesperson for Family Homes. “This project is a clear demonstration of what’s possible when innovation meets commitment to solving Nigeria’s housing deficit.”

Reinforcing this commitment, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State emphasized the alignment between the initiative and the state’s broader vision for affordable housing.

“The Family Homes Funds Social Housing Project aligns with our administration’s commitment to the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens. Access to safe, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of human dignity. We have been partnering with local and international investors to frontally address our housing deficit,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ademola Adebise, Chairman of Family Homes Funds Limited, noted that the project embodies inclusivity and social progress.

“The Social Housing Project also reflects our shared vision of inclusive growth, where affordable housing becomes a foundation for economic participation and improved quality of life.”

Karmod Nigeria, the technical partner behind the project, utilized its extensive expertise in prefabricated technology to localize the process, employing local artisans and materials to enhance community participation and job creation.

Industry experts have described the Kaduna project as a blueprint for future housing initiatives nationwide, capable of addressing the country’s housing shortfall more efficiently and sustainably.

With this pioneering development, Kaduna State takes a leading role in introducing modern housing technologies that promise to reshape Nigeria’s urban landscape.

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Houston

Houston and Owerri Community Mourn the Passing of Beloved Icon, Lawrence Mike Obinna Anozie

Published

3 months ago

on

October 3, 2025

By

Houston was thrown into mourning on September 19, 2025, following the sudden passing of businessman and community advocate Lawrence Mike Obinna Anozie, who peacefully joined his ancestors. Immediate family member in Houston, Nick Anozie, confirmed his untimely death and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and condolences from both the Houston and Owerri communities.

Lawrence was born to Chief Alexander and Lolo Ether Anozie of Owerri in Imo State, Nigeria, and will be dearly remembered by family members, friends, and the entire Houston community.

An accomplished accountant, the late Lawrence incorporated and successfully managed three major companies: Universal Insurance Company, LLC, Universal Mortgage LLC, and Universal Financial Services. Through these enterprises, he not only built a thriving business career but also created opportunities for countless individuals to achieve financial stability. His contributions to entrepreneurship and community development will remain a lasting legacy.

According to the family, arrangements for his final funeral rites are in progress and will be announced in due course.

Lawrence will forever be remembered as a loving and compassionate man who dedicated much of his life to uplifting others. He helped countless young Nigerians and African Americans overcome economic challenges by providing mentorship, financial guidance, and career opportunities. His generosity touched the lives of many who otherwise might not have found their footing. A devout Catholic, he was unwavering in his faith and never missed Mass, drawing strength and inspiration from his church community. To those who knew him, Lawrence was not only a successful businessman but also a pillar of kindness, humility, and faith whose legacy of service and compassion will continue to inspire generations.

For more information, please contact Nick Anozie – 832-891-2213

Texas Guardian News
Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)
Continue Reading

Trending