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The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed release of a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Farouk Lawan from Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre after serving his five-year jail term.
Lawan who was sentenced for bribery regained freedom on Tuesday having fulfilled all necessary conditions for his release.
Mr. Samson Duza, Public Relations Officer, Federal Capital Territory Command of NCoS, confirmed the development to Nigerian Tribune in Abuja.
“Lawan was released this morning after fulfilling his jail term. He has completed his jail term and has legal right be freed,” he said.
Recall that Lawan was convicted in 2021 for accepting a $500,000 bribe from businessman Femi Otedola, Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, while serving as chairman House Committee probing fuel subsidy scam.
The bribe was part of an attempt to remove Otedola’s company from a list of firms implicated in a fuel subsidy fraud.
In January, the Supreme Court upheld Lawan’s five-year prison sentence, dismissing his appeal. The lead judgment, delivered by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, ruled that Lawan’s appeal was without merit.
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The court’s decision followed a 2022 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which had affirmed his conviction on count three of the three-count charge against him.
Lawan in a statement, thanked God for his release which he noted marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
He said; “I Thank Almighty Allah. 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 bless you.”
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