House suspends Faruk Lawan

Hon. Faruk Lawan has been suspended from his position as Chairman, House ad-hoc committee on the subsidy probe and the committee on education which he also chaired.This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Honourable Isiaka Bawa (PDP, Taraba) on the allegation of bribery against Lawan and the secretary of the committee, Mr Boniface Emelano, by the chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas, Mr Femi Otedola.Lending his voice to the motion, Honourable Samson Osagie (ACN, Edo) said despite the allegation, the legislature remains an institution crucial to the survival of the nation's democracy.Osagie further introduced a motion of amendment declaring a vote of confidence on the leadership of the House. The motion was unanimously supported by all the members in attendance.The House also directed the National Assembly management to commence disciplinary proceedings against Emenalo while Faruk Lawan's case was referred to the House Committee on Rules and Ethics for further investigation.The House also revisited its decision on April 24, 2012 to clear Zenon Petroleum and Gas and Synopsis Enterprises of allegations levelled against them. The House has referred the case against the two companies to the relevant anti-corruption agencies in line with the recommendations given against the other companies on the list on April 24, 2012.Zenon Petroleum and Gas, owned by Chief Femi Otedola was initially alleged to have collected the sum of $232,975,385.13 to import petroleum which it never did while Synopsis Enterprises ltd collected the sum of $51,449,977.47.Speaking on the conflicts that have arisen following the allegations of corruption against Hon. Faruk Lawan and the credibility of the report, Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said, "We reject in totality the insinuations being orchestrated in some media to the effect that the allegations have eroded the credibility of the report. Let me reiterate that the resolutions of the House (of April 24) remain valid despite this present controversy"."We must as a country learn to separate institutions from individuals and we must admit that in the alleged fault of an individual cannot negate the resolutions of the House. Let me also reaffirm here that we have not been compromised and we shall never be compromised.
Click here to read full news..