The Traffic

"Farouk Lawan Walks Free: Former House of Reps Member Released After Serving Jail Term"

In a surprising turn of events, former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan has regained his freedom after completing his sentence at the Kuje Custodial Centre. Lawan, once a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, has been released after serving his term for bribery-related charges.

The news was confirmed by Adamu Duza, spokesman for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), in a statement to Vanguard. Lawan’s release marks the end of a legal saga that began when he was convicted of receiving bribes while serving as the chairman of a special House committee investigating fuel subsidy fraud.

Farouk Lawan’s case attracted widespread attention in Nigeria, as the former lawmaker was accused of soliciting a $3 million bribe from billionaire businessman Femi Otedola. The scandal, which shook the nation's political elite, culminated in Lawan's conviction and sentencing in 2021.

Now a free man, Lawan’s next steps remain unclear, but his release will likely stir fresh debate on Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption, particularly among the political class. As one of the country's most high-profile corruption cases in recent years, Lawan's journey from power to prison has been closely watched, and his return to public life is sure to be met with mixed reactions.

Yakubu Haruna Yakubu