$.6m bribe: Lawan, Emenalo remanded in prison custody

Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi ordered the remand after prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) objected to an application for bail by defence counsel Ricky Tafa (SAN).According to Awomolo, the offences, which are punishable with between two to seven years imprisonment under sections 26 (1), 8(1), 10 (1), 17 (1) and 23 (1) of the Independent Corrupt Practices […]

Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi ordered the remand after prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) objected to an application for bail by defence counsel Ricky Tafa (SAN).
According to Awomolo, the offences, which are punishable with between two to seven years imprisonment under sections 26 (1), 8(1), 10 (1), 17 (1) and 23 (1) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000, are not ordinarily bailable.
Lawan and Emenalo had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges prompting their counsel Tafa to urge that an administrative bail granted his clients by the Inspector General of Police be sustained as they have never attempted to abscond despite travelling overseas severally.
But Awomolo contended that there is no undertaking by the accused persons that they will not seek to belong to another committee of the House from where they will commit another bribery.
“My lord the right to liberty of a citizen under the constitution is not absolute. The courts are enjoined to operate in Nigeria with the Nigerian knowledge. If every Nigerian can hide under section 35 of the 1999 constitution then who will be detained over an offence,” he argued.
Businessman Femi Otedola has claimed that Lawan,  in April last year demanded for about N453 million ($3 million) bribe to de-list his company Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd from firms indicted in the probe.
Otedola claimed that he eventually paid about N93 million  ($620,000) to Lawan and Emenalo through a sting operation sponsored by the State Security Service (SSS).
The judge has adjourned to February 8 for ruling on the bail application.