Otedola’s ill health stalls Farouk Lawan’s bribery trial

Femi Otedola

Ill health of prosecution witness, Femi Otedola, on Tuesday stalled the trial of a former member of House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, before the FCT High Court.

Lawan, a former Chairman of House Adhoc Committee on Petroleum Subsidy Regime, is being tried for alleged corrupt practices by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, told the court on Tuesday that Otedola could not continue his testimony in court because he was sick.

Mr Awomolo also presented a medical report to that effect.

Justice Angela Otaluka adjourned the case till June 10 and June 11 for continuation of hearing.

During cross examination by Mike Ozekhome at the last sitting, Otedola told the court that Lawan demanded $3 million from him as bribe to exonerate his company from the alleged subsidy scam in 2012.

Otedola also said that the $500,000 which he presented to Lawan as part of the $3 million agreement was given to him by the Department of State Service (DSS).

The oil mogul said the DSS released the money to him after he made a petition over Lawan’s demand.