$43.4m, contract scam: Govt may drop SGF, NIA boss

Suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ayo Oke are to be relieved of their duties, it was learnt yesterday.

This is the outcome of the probe into the issues in which the two top government officials were involved.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo led the three-man committee that investigated the two officials. The other members are Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Babagana Monguno.

A massive shake-up has been planned for the NIA and the SGF’s office.

Official sources said the government would soon release the findings and recommendations of the Presidential Investigative Committee, whose report was submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari before his medical follow-up trip abroad last Sunday.

Lawal was probed for alleged N200million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited, linked with him by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) to clear “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State.

Oke is being investigated for the $43.4million recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at Apartment 7B Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

It was gathered that the Presidency decided to drop Lawal and Oke “based on security reports and some fact-sheets” available to it.

According to the source, who pleaded not to be named, the government has started shopping for those to replace the two officials.

The Nation, May 11, 2017

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