Babachir: We’ve been vindicated, probe of other corrupt Nigerians to continue -Senate

The Senate, on Tuesday, jubilated over the sack of the David Babachir Lawal, as Secretary to Government of the Federation, by President Muhammadu Buhari, following the recommendations of a report, submitted by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Senators, who hailed President Buhari to removing Lawal, however vowed to continue to champion anti-corruption war in the country. It said it will give Buhari the needed support to win the anti-graft fight.

Lawal was sacked by President Buhari on Monday, months after he was suspended. The former SGF was indicted by the Senate in December, 2016, over his role in the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for victims f Boko Haram in the North East.

As part of measures to give give momentum to the anti-corruption drive, President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, has mandated all adhoc and standing committees to conclude pending probes.

Speaking on the removing of Lawal, the Senate President said that it was now clear that the Red Chamber was justified in exposing and fighting corruption.

Saraki stated: “It has been a tough journey to defend the institution. I want to commend the government for doing what is right. When we started the investigation, we were being blackmailed but we will continue in our commitment to fight corruption, non selective.

“We will not go back on our promise to expose corruption: any case that is brought to us we assure you that we will investigate it and expose it. There are some corruption investigations going on in the senate, committees ensure that your investigations are concluded on time and you submit you reports.”

Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, in a motion, reminded his colleagues of the issues surrounding the removal of Lawal as SGF. He said it was a report from the Senate which indicted Lawal that led to his sack.

Read also: BUDGET: Buhari, ministers suffering from military hangover- Senators

He said that the outcome of the investigation had vindicated the Senate in its determination to expose and fight graft wherever it was found.

Na’Allah recalled how the Senate was harassed when it started an investigation into the matter in mid 2016.

He said: “When we started this crusade, the same Nigerians that we were fighting for were paid to close down the National Assembly in the name of Occupy National Assembly.

“What is important here today is to implore us all that the task before us is not a small on, that is why the oath of office say that you will do that without fear or favour. It is important for Nigerians to realise that it gives them no good to spread falsehood to demean the institution of the National Assembly.

“I am proud of this senate: We have other investigations that are pending, the committees in charge of these investigations should finalise their investigations soon so that at the end of the day we shall be vindicated,” he said.”

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now