In what can be best described as a dramatic surprise, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), on Tuesday, opened its criminal case against Farouk Lawan, former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, by listing his co-accused as the first witness.
The first prosecution witness was announced as Boniface Emenalo, as the trial commenced at a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Lugbe.
Lawan and Emenalo were initially accused of soliciting and accepting bribe from billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, while performing their constitutional duty as members of the committee investigating fuel subsidy in 2012.
They are, alleged, to have asked Otedola to present a huge sum of money in order for his company name to be removed from those accused of abusing the subsidy regime, which the House committee chaired by Lawan was investigating at the time.
Both men were initially charged on a six count charge of corrupt acceptance of money. However, the charges have now been amended to a three count charge of corruption.
Furthermore, Lawan ended up being the sole accused person in the corruption case after the charges were amended.
Emenalo appeared as a prosecution witness through a subpoena served to the clerk of the House of Representative.
