Security agencies are probing alleged plans to sponsor a mass
protest against the trial of the suspended Chairman of the House
Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime, Mallam Farouk Lawan.
The protest is scheduled for today in Abuja .
But Lawan, who met with his lawyers, Ricky Tarfa (SAN) and Mike Ozekhome (SAN), yesterday was quoted as saying: “I am unbowed.”
There are fears in Lawan’s camp and among House members that the embattled lawmaker may be denied bail.
Lawan and the Clerk of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, were arraigned last Friday before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
A security source, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “We have intelligence report of plans to disrupt Friday’s proceeding at the High Court by some students, who have been mobilised by some members of the House.
“Some chairmen of House committees are also alleged to be involved in this planned protest.
“One of the chairmen called some Student Union leaders and asked them to issue statements and follow up with demonstrations in Abuja against the trial of Lawan. The protesters are to be addressed by a member of the House at the main entrance of the National Assembly where the demonstration terminates.
“A principal officer of the House followed up yesterday with a call to the same source.
“The aim of the sponsored demonstrations and statements is to portray the collection of the $620,000 bribe and subsequent trial of Farouk Lawan as a ‘set-up’ by the Executive to ridicule the House.”
Ozekhome said: “Lawan was in very high spirits. He believes that the Judiciary will vindicate him notwithstanding his travails. He said: ‘I am unbowed.’
“Lawan said he believes that Mr. Femi Otedola, who is the giver of the bribe, should also be brought to justice and charged to court so that the impression is not created that there is inequality of justice in Nigeria and that Otedola is untouchable because of his reach and connections within the system.”
The protest is scheduled for today in Abuja .
But Lawan, who met with his lawyers, Ricky Tarfa (SAN) and Mike Ozekhome (SAN), yesterday was quoted as saying: “I am unbowed.”
There are fears in Lawan’s camp and among House members that the embattled lawmaker may be denied bail.
Lawan and the Clerk of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, were arraigned last Friday before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
A security source, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “We have intelligence report of plans to disrupt Friday’s proceeding at the High Court by some students, who have been mobilised by some members of the House.
“Some chairmen of House committees are also alleged to be involved in this planned protest.
“One of the chairmen called some Student Union leaders and asked them to issue statements and follow up with demonstrations in Abuja against the trial of Lawan. The protesters are to be addressed by a member of the House at the main entrance of the National Assembly where the demonstration terminates.
“A principal officer of the House followed up yesterday with a call to the same source.
“The aim of the sponsored demonstrations and statements is to portray the collection of the $620,000 bribe and subsequent trial of Farouk Lawan as a ‘set-up’ by the Executive to ridicule the House.”
Ozekhome said: “Lawan was in very high spirits. He believes that the Judiciary will vindicate him notwithstanding his travails. He said: ‘I am unbowed.’
“Lawan said he believes that Mr. Femi Otedola, who is the giver of the bribe, should also be brought to justice and charged to court so that the impression is not created that there is inequality of justice in Nigeria and that Otedola is untouchable because of his reach and connections within the system.”
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