Former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for granting him a pardon.
Lawan was among several individuals Tinubu granted pardon on Thursday.
Lawan, who represented the Bagwai/Shanono constituency of Kano State in the lower chamber, was accused of demanding $3 million from billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, to remove Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited (Otedola’s former company) from the list of oil companies allegedly involved in the petrol subsidy fraud in 2012.
Social media was abuzz at the time with video clips, showing Lawan stuffing wads of currency notes in his traditional outfit and underneath his cap.
He was arraigned on seven counts of bribery by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In 2021, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo convicted Lawan on all three counts and sentenced him to seven years in prison.
In February 2022, a court of appeal discharged and acquitted the former lawmaker on two of the three counts on which he was convicted.
The appellate court affirmed his conviction on one count. The jail term was also reduced to five from seven years.
In January 2024, the Supreme Court affirmed Lawan’s conviction and upheld the verdict of the court of appeal.
In October 2024, he was released after serving his five-year jail term.
In a statement, Lawan said the pardon has renewed his hope,” he said,
“To a fatherly, compassionate, and decisive political leader, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, God, and history shall remember you,” the statement reads.
“Mr President has cast a warm blanket over me, pulling me back from the harshness of yesterday’s cold. A day like this is not for a long treatise.
“I lie, prostrate utterly humble in my heart and entire being, grateful for the mercy which Allah (SWT), through Mr. President and my country have shown me.
“During the eclipse at noon of my life, a path designed by destiny, a past with which I am fully reconciled, my family, friends and associates stood by me through thick and thin, their light became my singular unfailing beacon. I remain eternally indebted to you. May Allah (SWT) recompense you.
“Throughout those moments of sober reflection, my faith in the greatness of our Fatherland never wavered, nor did my resolve to contribute to it ever weaken. A re-dedication to the ideals of Nigeria is upon me. My hope is renewed.
“My family and I, along with my friends and associates in Kano State and across Nigeria, are indescribably grateful to Mr. President for drafting me back into active citizenship with its unavoidable service imperative.”
It is uncertain if Lawan will return to politics.
