An FCT High Court on Thursday fixed May 10 for ruling in an
application seeking to quash charges against Farouk Lawan, former Chairman,
House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime.
Lawan is standing trial alongside his Vice
Chairman, Boniface Emenalo, on a seven-count charge of allegedly obtaining N625
million bribe from Mr Femi Otedola, the Chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas Ltd.
The court, presided over by Justice Mudashiru
Oniyangi, had reserved Thursday, May 2 to rule on Lawan's application seeking
to quash the corruption charges against him.However, ruling in the application
was stalled due to the absence of the judge,who was said to travelled out
of Abuja to attend the burial ceremony of his brother who passed away on
Wednesday.At the last hearing, Defence Counsel, Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN), brought
an application seeking to quash the charges against Lawan and Emenalo.
Tarfa said the application was brought on the
ground that the court lacked the jurisdiction and competence to try and
determine the offences in the said charge.
He argued that the proof of evidence
tendered by the Prosecution Counsel, Chief Adeboyega Awomolo (SAN), did not
disclose the commission of any offence by the accused in the circumstance of
the charge.
Awomolo, however, urged the court to reject the
application, describing it as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
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