A FORMER member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for granting him a presidential pardon.
Lawan, one of the 175 beneficiaries of the presidential prerogative of mercy approved by the Council of State on Thursday, October 9, in a statement in his Facebook page, noted that the gesture has “renewed” his hope and restored his faith in active citizenship.
According to him: “To a fatherly, compassionate, and decisive political leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, God and history shall remember you.
“Mr. President has cast a warm blanket over me, pulling me back from the harshness of yesterday’s cold. I lie prostrate, utterly humble in my heart and entire being, grateful for the mercy which Allah (SWT), through Mr. President and my country, have shown me.”
Contunuing, Lawan said: “During the eclipse at noon of my life, a path designed by destiny, a past with which I am fully reconciled, my family, friends and associates stood by me through thick and thin, their light became my singular unfailing beacon.
“Throughout those moments of sober reflection, my faith in the greatness of our Fatherland never wavered, nor did my resolve to contribute to it ever weaken.
“A re-dedication to the ideals of Nigeria is upon me. My hope is renewed.”
Recall that Lawa, who represented Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency in Kano State, was a vocal figure in the 2012 fuel subsidy scandal.
His trouble started after he was accused of demanding a $3million bribe by billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, to delist the then Zenon Petroleum from the list of companies indicted for subsidy fraud.
He was nailed by video evidence showing him collecting bundles of cash, unknown to him that the money had been marked by security operatives.
He was later prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), found guilty and convicted on three counts and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment in June 2021.
In 2022, the Court of Appeal reduced the sentence to five years and the verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court in January 2024.
He was released in October 2024 after serving his term and has remained in political limbo.
Published:
Related articles
Recent articles
