Rep. Farouk Lawan Denies $600,000 Bribe of Subsidy Committee Member

By SaharaReporters, New York Farouk Lawan, the chairman of the celebrated House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, has categorically denied that a member of the committee demanded and received a $600,000 bribe from an oil marketer.He cited as evidence of the integrity of members of the committee the thorough and in-depth manner they carried out their investigation and the fact that the committees all-encompassing recommendations were approved by the whole House.The general public is hereby reminded that during and after the investigations, we have severally raised alarm on pressures on us from different quarters, he said. In particular, I wish to refer to the front-page publication in the Leadership Weekend newspaper of 28th April 2012, captioned "Marketers Offered Subsidy Committee Planeload of Dollars," where we alerted the public that a marketer promised to fly in a jet loaded with US Dollars which he "intended to share to both the House Leadership and members of the ad-hoc committee" to influence the outcome of the report.Mr. Lawan said his clarification has become necessary so as to clear all the insinuations and, more importantly, to enable the Government concentrate on the implementation of the report.The present mudslinging is not unexpected in view of the calibre of people whose actions and inactions were found wanting in the report, he said. I am aware that in their desperation to discredit the report and divert the attention of the public from the real issues of large scale fraud in high places established in our report, a video footage displaying a caricature of my person allegedly having a dealing with a marketer reminiscent of the military era when dignitaries were invited to the Villa to watch a video clip of a phantom coup involving Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is already in circulation.He assured Nigerians that the sanctity of the committees report remains unassailable and that it will be in the best interest of the country if the relevant authorities faithfully and conscientiously implement the resolutions of the House.The government has so far sent mixed signals about implementing the report, which could see several political and economic relatives of top members of the executive in prison.read more
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