A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan has regained his freedom after serving his jail term at the Kuje Custodial Centre.

Spokesman of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service NCoS, Adamu Duza confirmed the development to newsmen.

“Yes, he has been released having served his sentence”, he said on the phone.

Lawan was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2021 for soliciting and accepting a $500,000 bribe from businessman Femi Otedola, Chairman, of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd. The former federal lawmaker represented the Bagwai/Shanono constituency of Kano state in the House of Representatives.

He was accused of demanding $3 million from Otedola to remove Zenon from the list of oil companies allegedly involved in the petrol subsidy scam which rocked the nation some years ago.

Reacting after regaining freedom, Lawan Farouk expressed gratitude to God, families and associates.

In a statement, he said: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life, as I step out of Kuje Custodial Centre, with a heart full of gratitude to Allah (SWT) for seeing me through this trial.

“My gratitude is deep. I’m alive and in good health and high spirits to be with my family, friends and associates.

“I don’t take that for granted.”