I collected Otedola’s $100,000 to expose him – Emenalo
Emenalo was testifying before Justice Angela Otakula of the Federal
Capital Territory High Court in Lugbe, Abuja, as the first prosecution
witness in Lawan’s ongoing trial for recieving bribe from Otedola in the
discharge of the ad hoc committee’s duties in 2012.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences
Commission is prosecuting Lawan for allegedly “corruptly” collecting
$500,000 out of the $3m bribe he requested from Otedola.
Lawan was accused of accepting the bribe in exchange for the
removal of Otedola’s company’s name, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd from
the list of firms indicted by the House committee for allegedly abusing
the fuel subsidy regime in 2012.
Emenalo was formerly Lawan’s co-accused before the prosecution amended the charges and turned him into a prosecution witness.
He had earlier testified on March 7, 2016, narrating how he collected the $100,000 from Otedola in $100 bills.
On Tuesday, under cross-examination by Lawan’s lawyer, Chief Mike
Ozekhome (SAN), supported by Mr. Olalekan Ojo and others, the witness
denied some of the allegations leveled against Lawan by the prosecution,
for which he was testifying.
Fielding questions from Ozekhome, the witness said he collected the
$100,000 from Otedola as exhibit to prove the businessman’s move to
bribe members of the committee.
He said on Otedela’s invitations, he met with the businesman
on Sunday, April 22, 2012 and on Tuesday April 24, 2012 at his home in
Aso Drive, Maitama, Abuja.
According to him, during his first meeting with Otedola, they had
discussions on issues including “the work of the committee and areas he
(Otedola) could make suggestions”.
He denied recieving $20,000 bribe from Otedola during their first meeting.
But he confirmed that it was during the second meeting that Otedola
gave gave him the $100,000 which he said he handed over to Lawan as
exhibit.
Justice Angela Otakula then adjourned till Wednesday for the prosecution to call its second witness.
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