Boniface Emenalo and Faruk Lawan Lawan got more questions on the $620,000 bribe allegation hurled at him by businessman Mr. Femi Otedola, who said he hand him the cash to get his company’s name off the list of those indicted in the subsidy probe.
Lawan and the Clerk of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, got more questions from the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force CID, Mr. Ali Amodu, following a letter from the government prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
The two suspects will report at the FCID today to answer the questions in writing after taking the oath to be truthful.
But the police have also decided to re-invite Otedola and the Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Drugs and Narcotics, Mr. Adam Jagaba, who Lawan claimed to have given the $600,000 bribe for transmission to the anti-graft agency, EFCC.
It was learnt that the police may probe Jagaba’s medical records as part of their search for the bribe cash.
Lawan and Emenalo reported at the FCID as part of their bail bond, but the situation took a new turn as the police placed them on additional investigation.
It was learnt that the two suspects were told that they had to go through another round of additional investigation at the prompting of the government prosecutor.
A source said: “When the two suspects (Lawan and Emenalo) reported at the FCID, they were served questions by the CP. But Lawan queried why the police will subject them to investigation after recommending them for trial.
“Lawan alleged that since the police had made up their mind that they had a case to answer, they should just go ahead with their arraignment in court.
“But the CP took time to explain that the additional investigation was at the prompting of the government prosecutor.”
The source quoted Lawan as saying: “Let us take the questions home to study, we will come and make statements on oath or under caution later.”
According to the source, “Lawan and Emenalo were served with the questions and directed to report on Thursday for interrogation and writing of statements under caution.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “Certainly, we will re-invite Otedola and Jagaba.
“Jagaba’s case is peculiar because Lawan said he met him at about 3.47am and handed over $500,000 out of the $620,000 to him. But Jagaba said he could not have met Lawan at 3am because of his health challenge as a result of which he sleeps by 10pm.
“Now, the police will probe the medical records and his medication to ascertain whether he has a life-threatening ailment as claimed.
“The real challenge is locating the whereabouts of the $620,000.”
The prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega (SAN), has written the police on what he is expecting on fresh angles to the case.
He, specifically, asked the Police to obtain a statement from the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, as a follow-up to his letter on how Lawan approached him and ignored his advice for a sting operation by the anti-graft agency.
The prosecution team’s demands are as follows: “Police to obtain statement from each and every member of the House Ad Hoc Committee. They should make statement of their knowledge of the transactions and communication between Otedola and Farouk with regard to the $3m and if they have knowledge of wether $120,000 was given to the Secretary. When did they become aware?
“Whether they were a part of the House leadership meeting that made the Resolution not to display the money. Who brought the money and where was it as at 6th of June, and who took custody of it thereafter?
“The members will also say whether they were aware of reports to Jagaba and EFCC and if they were aware, when and how they became aware.
“Police to investigate the security guards at Jagaba’s house, especially the security man on duty on the 24th April 2012 (if there was any).
“Police to confirm medically and scientifically the ‘life time medication’ of Jagaba, the source, the duration of such medication. Check the correctness of the claim - Jagaba should not be believed without cross checking.
“Where is the $600,000 or $620,000? It must be established. Note the meeting of House Leadership, i.e. Deputy Speaker, Hon Bashiru Adamu and Hon Adams Jagaba - statement of each of them (Lawan’s statement of 14/06/2012).
“Confirm whether the House Leadership knew of the money with Jagaba as at 29th May. Confirm the serial number of the $100 bills obtained from Emenalo’s house. Whether it accords with that issued by SSS.
“Whether the $10,000 recovered from Lawan has the same serial numbers of the US dollar bills as those issued by the SSS to Mr. Femi Otedola.
“To obtain statements from the SSS operatives who conducted the sting operation. A statement should be obtained from Mr. Lamorde - in line with his letter of 4th July 2012. His letter is not a statement admissible in a court of law).
“To obtain CTC of the following documents: Hansard of the House sitting of 8th January 2012 (there should be terms of reference). Rules and procedure of the committee; The Hansard of the proceedings of the 18th and 24th April, 2012; The PPPRA subsidy scam from Mr. Femi Otedola; The letter of Mr. Otedola to SSS, dated 18th April, 2012; The register/serial number, copy of the SSS of $620,000 bills.”
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