President Bola Tinubu’s pardon of ex-lawmaker Farouk Lawan, convicted for extorting $500,000 from Femi Otedola, restores his eligibility to contest elections in 2027 despite a prior 10-year disqualification.
Former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, who served five years in prison for attempting to extort $500,000 from businessman Femi Otedola, has regained his political rights following a presidential pardon by Bola Tinubu. Lawan was disqualified under the Electoral Act, 2022, which bars anyone convicted of crimes involving dishonesty within ten years. However, the clemency now erases that restriction, allowing him to seek office in 2027.
Legal expert Festus Ogun said the president acted under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, noting, “Pardoning him after he has served his sentence would mean that his records have been wiped clean.” Lawan had led the 2012 House probe into the fuel subsidy fraud but was convicted after being caught on tape accepting a $500,000 bribe from Otedola. His sentence, initially seven years, was reduced to five by the Appeal Court in 2022. The pardon has sparked debate over Tinubu’s use of presidential mercy.