My relationship with Buhari can’t end ‘because of a false accusation against an innocent man’— Babachir

Babachir Lawal, sacked secretary to the government of the federation, says his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari was unaffected by his probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He also said he was happy with his ongoing probe by EFCC.

In October 2017, Lawal was sacked amid allegations of corruption.

A senate ad-hoc committee had in December 2016 indicted him of fraud in a contract awarded for the clearing of invasive plant species in Yobe State, through the Presidential Initiative on Northeast (PINE).

According to the ad-hoc committee, Lawal allegedly spent N570m on the project.

PINE, which was headed by Lawal, was at the time unable to account for N2.5 billion allocated to alleviate the plight of IDPs.

Amid speculations that the former SGF might have escaped justice, Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the EFCC, recently said Lawal was still under investigation.

Read also: Buhari’s June 12 decision an illegal ‘masterstroke of mischief and insincerity’— Prof Nwabueze

Speaking during a Channels TV interview, Lawal said he had “always wanted” the EFCC to get involved in the allegations against him.

Asked about the investigation, he said, “I like it (the probe). In fact, I had always wanted the EFCC to be involved because the EFCC has the capacity both in terms of equipment and personnel to get to the truth.”

Lawal said although he is being investigated for alleged corruption, it would not affect his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“If the president were to be my brother, does it mean we cease to be brothers because I am being investigated by the EFCC?” he asked. “A relationship breaks because of a false accusation against an innocent man.”

 

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