A former member of the House of Representative, Farouk Lawan, who was jailed for bribery in 2021, has been released from Kuje prison.
The former legislator was released after completing a five-year prison sentence for soliciting and accepting a bribe of $500,000.
He was convicted for attempting to extort a $3 million bribe from Femi Otedola, a billionaire oil tycoon from Nigeria, during his time as the chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee that was probing fuel subsidy fraud in 2012.
The lawmaker announced his freedom in a statement he personally penned and made available to the press on Tuesday.
The statement reads in full:
Thank Almighty Allah – Hon Farouk Lawan
Alhamdulillah
Alhamdulillah
Alhamdulillah
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life as I step out of Kuje Custodial Centre, with a heart full of gratitude to Allah SWT for seeing me through this trial.
My gratitude is deep, I’m alive and in good health and high spirits to be with my family, friends and associates. I don’t take that for granted.
I remain grateful and indebted to my family and friends who stood by me through this particularly trying phase of my life.
May Allah SWT bless you.
