Fuel Subsidy Scam: Tukur Stands Surety for Son

Fresh facts emerged that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, may have stood as surety for his son, Mahmud, to travel abroad despite repeated explanations by Tukur that he would not interfere in his son’s trial.

Mahmud is among the suspects who were recently arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of billions of naira in the fuel subsidy scam.

 There had been pressure for the PDP national chairman to resign his position, following the arraignment of his son and others suspects but he had assured those calling for him to step down that he will not interfere in his son’s trial since he was old enough to defend himself.

However, indication that Tukur may have had a rethink emerged when some directors of OM&Ts, who recently regained their freedom after meeting their bail terms, approached an Ikeja High Court, seeking the permission of the court to travel abroad.

Those who applied for the release of their international passports to enable them travel abroad alongside Tukur’s son are Abdullahi Alao, son of the prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arikesola-Alao, and Mr. Felix Ochonogor.

The three defendants were in July arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo by the EFCC. Their offences bordered on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, forgery and use of false documents.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fuel-subsidy-scam-tukur-stands-surety-for-son/122963/ 

Subsidy Scam: Activist disagree with Police on Lawan’s Trial

A human rights activist, Mr. Kayode Ajulo has disagreed with an alleged decision of the police authorities to put on hold trial of the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Hon. Farouk Lawan, over the $620,000 bribery scandal.  Ajulo who is legal practitioner, described the reports of police to wait for the legal advice of the Attorney-General as tantamount to double standard. The activist said by the nature and form of the bribery case, it is quite clear that the police and even the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) have constitutional powers to prosecute the matter.

According Ajulo, “the alleged report that the police was waiting for the Attorney-General’s legal advice on Lawan’s bribery scandal is rather unfortunate as it has no basis in the Nigerian jurisprudence. As a lawyer, I saw the police position on this as double standard based on the personalities involved, The matter nevertheless is common criminal offence provided for in our penal/criminal code.  One therefore wondered if every common case of graft is sent to the AGF for legal advice, how many of such cases will be prosecuted.”