The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned before an Abuja High Court in Gudu the former Chairman, House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime, Hon Farouk Lawan, and its ex-Secretary, Hon Boniface Emenalo.
The lawmakers are facing a seven-count charge for allegedly receiving $620,000 bribe from the Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas, Mr Femi Otedola to exclude the names of Otedola’s companies, Zenon Petroleum and Gas and Synopsis Enterprises Limited, from the list of companies found to have allegedly defrauded the Federal Government of billions of naira.
They were earlier arraigned on the same charge before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi (formerly of an Abuja High Court, Maitama) who was later promoted to the Court of Appeal. The case was then transferred to Justice Adebukola Banjoko.
Lead prosecution lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), told the court that the accused were to plead to the charge afresh. After listening to the charge, Lawan and Emenalo pleaded not guilty.
The judge ordered Lawan and Emenalo to remain on the earlier bail granted by Justice Oniyangi and adjourned till July 7 for further hearing.
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