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Bribery

Jun 15, 2025

FRN vs Farouq Lawan (Former Member of House of Representatives)

Farouq Lawan

$500,000.00
Amount allegedly involved

Case Summary
The defendant, who was a Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Investigation of Oil Subsidy, allegedly demanded a bribe of $3 million in order to remove the company name of the complainant from the list of indicted oil companies.

3,063
Day(s) case tried in court

Case Update
The trial judge found the defendant guilty on the amended 3-count charge and convicted and sentenced him to seven (7) years in jail on counts one and two, and five (5) years on count three. The sentences are to run concurrently. The court also ordered the convict to return the sum of $500,000 he collected from his victim. The Court of Appeal, following an appeal by the convict, quashed the appellant’s conviction on counts one and two on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove both counts relating to demanding for and agreeing to accept a $300 million bribe. The appellate court found that the prosecution was only able to prove the third count relating to his accepting bribe of $500,000. The Court of Appeal, therefore, acquitted the appellant on counts one and two (on which he was sentenced to seven years per count), but convicted him on count three (on which he was sentenced to five years.

Hon. Justice A. O. Otaluka
FCT High Court, Lugbe, Abuja

ACJA/ACJL Compliance - violated

Case Information

Farouq Lawan

Presiding Judge & Designated Court

Hon. Justice A. O. Otaluka, FCT High Court, Lugbe, Abuja

Nature and Number of Charges

3-count amended charge bordering on bribery and abuse of office.

Date of 1st Arraignment

Feb 1, 2013

Summary of Case

The defendant, who was a Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Investigation of Oil Subsidy, allegedly demanded a bribe of $3 million in order to remove the company name of the complainant from the list of indicted oil companies.

Defendant(s) and Plea entered on Arraignment

1. Farouq Lawan (Former Member House of Representatives) – Not guilty

Defence Counsel(s)

1. Mike Ozekhome (Senior Advocate of Nigeria)

Prosecuting Agency

Office of the Attorney General of the Federation

Prosecutor(s)

1. Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo (Senior Advocate of Nigeria)

Status of Case

Decided

Decision

Convicted

Length of Trial

3,063 day(s)

ACJA/ACJL Compliance

Violated

Court Decision

The trial judge found the defendant guilty on the amended 3-count charge and convicted and sentenced him to seven (7) years in jail on counts one and two, and five (5) years on count three. The sentences are to run concurrently. The court also ordered the convict to return the sum of $500,000 he collected from his victim. The Court of Appeal, following an appeal by the convict, quashed the appellant’s conviction on counts one and two on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove both counts relating to demanding for and agreeing to accept a $300 million bribe. The appellate court found that the prosecution was only able to prove the third count relating to his accepting bribe of $500,000. The Court of Appeal, therefore, acquitted the appellant on counts one and two (on which he was sentenced to seven years per count), but convicted him on count three (on which he was sentenced to five years.