The move by a ranking member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, and his colleague Boniface Emenalo, to dismiss bribery charges against them has been rejected by
the court.
An Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi on Friday morning dismissed the application of the accused to quash the charges.
The court ruled in favour of the prosecution, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, on the three issues.
The court ruled that it has jurisdiction, that there is evidence of crime against the prosecution, and that the charges are not an abuse of court process.
The counsel to the lawmakers said he would consult with his clients before deciding on appeal.
The two men are accused of demanding and collecting $620, 000 bribe from an oil magnate, Femi Otedola, to free his company of petrol subsidy fraud.
More details later…