The embattled Chairman of the House of Representatives probe panel on fuel subsidy management, Farouk Lawal, would be declared wanted by the Nigerian police for failing to report himself at the police headquarters on Wednesday.
It was disclosed to our correspondent at the Force Headquarters yesterday by a top police officer that all necessary arrangements have been put in place towards declaring Lawan wanted as well as his possible arrest.
The police had said that the evidence before it will be enough to declare the Subsidy Probe panel Chief wanted over the allegation by a business tycoon, Femi Otedola, that he bribed Lawan with the sum of $620,000.
It was observed that the Special Task Force investigating the bribery allegation had gathered yesterday, waiting for the lawmaker to appear before it, but unfortunately they waited in vain.
Speaking with our correspondent, a member of the investigating team of the police had declared that the police had enough evidence against Lawan, including the video, and the audio tape which he affirmed has the detail of the transactions between Farouk and Otedola
The source also told our correspondent about the intention of the Security Tax Force to invite other members of the House who had collected money from Lawan to appear before it as well.
“The police expect him (Lawan) to honour the invitation, but, anytime from now, we will declare him wanted, if he does not show up. We have enough evidence to prosecute the case, but we believe we can handle the matter in a civilized manner and that is why we invited him to come and help us with information on the case,” the member of the investigating team said.
It was revealed yesterday that Lawan had since June 4, 2012, been invited by the police to assist them to unmask the secret behind the bribery allegation, but had refused to show up on the different days that the task force had held its meeting on the matter.
It was also revealed that the video before the PTF had been watched and analyzed, and from every indication, Farouk has a big case to answer.
A source revealed thus “The audio and video evidence before us strongly showed that Lawan has a case to answer because he was graphically seen accepting the money. We also saw Boniface Emenalo in the video wearing ‘resource control’ attire and pocketing dollar bills,”
Other sources within the Nigerian Police had disclosed to our correspondent that it was obvious from their investigation that the lawmaker had swindled other oil marketers at the course of the investigation and will have a big question to answer.
“Some marketers, who allegedly bribed the committee, will also be invited for interrogation,” a member of the STF said.
Sources had also revealed that the IG of Police was determined to ensure that the case was followed up to a logical conclusion, even as Farouk had refused to show up upon invitation.
Even though, the police investigators had expressed great anger over Farouk’s failure to appear before it, the IG had insisted that due process must be followed on the matter.
The Investigation officer handling the matter had condemned the idea of taking the exhibit to the House, stating that the House cannot be used to keep such evidence since it’s not a police station.
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