Farouk Lawan reflects on his release from Kuje prison

Farouk Lawan, a former House of Representatives member, has been freed from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja after completing his prison sentence.

In a statement he released on Tuesday, Lawan expressed his heartfelt gratitude for his release.

“Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah. Today marks the start of a new chapter in my life as I leave Kuje Custodial Centre. I am immensely thankful to Allah SWT for guiding me through this trial,” Lawan said.

READ ALSO :BRIBE: Farouk Lawan moved to Kuje prison

Lawan, who previously chaired the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime, faced arraignment in 2013 for allegedly soliciting a $3 million bribe from billionaire businessman Femi Otedola.

Otedola accused Lawan of accepting $500,000 in exchange for influencing the removal of his company’s name from the list of those involved in the 2012 fuel subsidy scandal.

Despite Lawan’s appeal arguing that the prosecution did not adequately demonstrate that he had demanded or received the bribe, he was convicted on three charges presented by the federal government.

He was sentenced to five years for the first two counts and seven years for the final count, all to be served concurrently.

While a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court initially sentenced him to seven years, the Abuja Court of Appeal later reduced this to five years, which he has now served.