Security agencies are probing alleged plans to sponsor a
mass protest against the trial of the suspended Chairman of the House Committee
on Fuel Subsidy Regime, Mallam Farouk Lawan.
The
protest is scheduled for today in Abuja .
But
Lawan, who met with his lawyers, Ricky Tarfa (SAN) and Mike Ozekhome (SAN),
yesterday was quoted as saying: “I am unbowed.”
There
are fears in Lawan’s camp and among House members that the embattled lawmaker
may be denied bail.
Lawan
and the Clerk of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, were arraigned last
Friday before Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of the High Court of the Federal
Capital Territory.
A
security source, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “We have intelligence
report of plans to disrupt Friday’s proceeding at the High Court by some
students, who have been mobilised by some members of the House.
“Some
chairmen of House committees are also alleged to be involved in this planned
protest.
“One
of the chairmen called some Student Union leaders and asked them to issue
statements and follow up with demonstrations in Abuja against the trial of
Lawan. The protesters are to be addressed by a member of the House at the main
entrance of the National Assembly where the demonstration terminates.
“A
principal officer of the House followed up yesterday with a call to the same
source.
“The
aim of the sponsored demonstrations and statements is to portray the collection
of the $620,000 bribe and subsequent trial of Farouk Lawan as a ‘set-up’ by the
Executive to ridicule the House.”
Ozekhome
said: “Lawan was in very high spirits. He believes that the Judiciary will
vindicate him notwithstanding his travails. He said: ‘I am unbowed.’
“Lawan
said he believes that Mr. Femi Otedola, who is the giver of the bribe, should
also be brought to justice and charged to court so that the impression is not
created that there is inequality of justice in Nigeria and that Otedola is
untouchable because of his reach and connections within the system.”
Tags
Politics