Farouk Lawan sentenced to seven years in prison for bribery

A court sitting in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja has sentenced Hon Farouk Lawan, who is a former member of the House of Representatives, to seven years in prison over a $3 million bribery scandal from 2012.

Lawan was accused of collecting $500,000 of $3m bribe from an oil tycoon to protect his company from investigation.

Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola indicted Lawan during the fuel subsidy probe of 2012.

The legislator in 2013, pleaded not guilty in court and was taken into custody until his bail hearing held on 8 February.

Lawan chaired the ad-hoc committee that investigated fuel subsidy matters under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

During the investigation, Mr Lawan called for a total overhaul of the oil ministry, for companies to face prosecution and that powerful individuals who had benefited unfairly from the swindle be made to face prosecution.

The Nigerian government at the time, set up the investigation after angry nationwide protests in January 2012 after the government tried to remove fuel subsidy.

Nigeria is Africa’s leading oil producer but also imports most of its fuel.