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My Prison Experience Has Made Me A Better Person — Ex Reps Member, Farouk Lawan

Former House of Representatives Appropriation Committee Chairman, Farouk Lawan, has said that his seven-year jail term was a transformative experience for him and a test of his life. Lawan, who represented Bagwai/Shannon Federal Constituency of Kano State in the lower chamber from 1999 to 2015 was a former chairman of an ad hoc committee of the House that probed the multi-billion-naira fraud in the subsidy scheme during the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2012. The former lawmaker had earned the moniker, Mr Integrity, because of his strong anti-corruption stands.

However, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for demanding and accepting a $500,000 bribe from Mr Femi Otedola (then of Zenon Oil) to influence the outcome of the committee’s probe. The trial judge, Angela Otaluka, of the FCT High Court, on June 22, 2021, convicted him of all charges leveled against him and ordered him to refund $500,000 to the federal government. The case later went to the appeal court, where he also lost. He was released from prison after serving a five-year sentence two months ago.

Meanwhile, speaking during a visit to his constituency at the weekend, Lawan said, “today, I am a better person, and I thank God for everything. My visit is not political but rather to pay condolences, sympathize with the sick, and pay homage to our fathers and traditional leaders.”

“I’m freelancing in politics for now; I don’t belong to anybody.”, Farouk said

While receiving him, the District Head of Bagwai and Magajin Rafi of Kano, Alhaji Nura Shehu Ahmad, described Lawan’s incarceration as “a blessing in disguise” for both him and his supporters.

According to him,” Today, many of us here who were once your enemies have turned into not only your supporters but your loyal supporters, with a deep understanding of who Faruk Lawan truly is and his passion for his people. Even when Faruk Lawan was in prison, he still connected with us in all facets of life. He supported the needy among us, inquired about everyone, and sent messages to many of us. We thank you and cherish you.”

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