How Buhari caught NIA DG Oke, SGF Lawal by surprise

Like the coming of a thief at the dead of night when one least expects, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Lawal and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke, on Wednesday got the shock of their lives from President Muhammadu Buhari.

The duo received an unexpected suspension following recent embarrassing and image bastardising controversies trailing them.

A statement made available to newsmen in respect to their suspension by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, revealed that Lawal was suspended sequel to the controversial contract award under the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE).

Oke on the other hand got himself suspended following claims that the N18billion the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission discovered in an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos belonged to NIA.

Already, a three-man committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno as members, has been set up to thoroughly investigate the allegations involving the two top government officials.

The committee has 14 days to submit its reports.

However, Lawal who reportedly rushed to the office of the Vice President as soon as the burble busted, told journalists when he was confronted with the news that he had no idea of any such happening.

Oke, who could not take the shock, reportedly betrayed emotions as he freely released tears. All efforts he made to enter the Presidential Villa to seek an audience with Osinbajo immediately his suspension was announced got blocked as he was turned back.

Read also: Breaking! Buhari suspends SGF Lawal, DG NIA

The NIA DG who avoided newsmen, without success in his quest to enter the Villa later left the premises.

While the contract scam involving the SGF, despite his initial clearance by President Buhari of any wrongdoing, has remained a blight on the present government’s anti-corruption fight, the recent claim by NIA DG of the N18billion find in Ikoyi, has remained a huge embarrassment to President Buhari’s administration.

Many Nigerians have continued to question why such an amount of money claimed to belong to NIA would be kept in a private home and not in NIA building which has better security.

There is also the allegation that Oke may be trying to cover up for a minister in the present administration who has been accused of owning the Ikoyigate cash.

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App 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