A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, has been released after serving a five-year prison sentence at Kuje Prison.
Lawan, once a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, was convicted in 2021 for accepting a $500,000 bribe from business mogul Femi Otedola, Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd.
Lawan’s release has reignited discussions on corruption and accountability in Nigeria, with many pointing to his dramatic fall from power.
His conviction came after a legal battle that culminated in the Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year to uphold his sentence.
In a unanimous ruling, the five-member panel of justices, led by Justice John Okoro, dismissed Lawan’s appeal. Justice Tijjani Abubakar, delivering the lead judgment, stated that the evidence against Lawan was overwhelming.
“The judgment of the Court of Appeal stands,” the apex court declared, confirming Lawan’s five-year sentence on corruption charges.
Lawan had previously chaired the House Committee on Fuel Subsidy, where he gained prominence before his downfall.
His conviction, involving a high-profile bribery case, had sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political sphere.
A video shared on Tuesday captured the moment of Lawan’s release from prison, prompting renewed conversations about the country’s ongoing fight against corruption.
Even as Lawan regains his freedom, the case remains a stark reminder of the consequences of political corruption in Nigeria.
