SGF Lawal probe may have been settled within govt closet –PDP

Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Peoples Democratic Party has said that the corruption allegations against suspended Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, may have been compromised already without independent panel of inquiry to look into the matter.

The party, which wondered how President Buhari would set up a panel comprising members of his cabinet to investigate other very senior powerful members of the same executive, doubted his sincerity in setting up the panel.

It therefore called on the Federal Government to constitute an independent body to investigate the corruption allegation against the SGF and the Director- General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Amb. Ayo Oke.

This was contained in a statement signed by Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the publicity secretary of Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of PDP on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement read, “This is the only way by which we can have confidence that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted. It is a way by which President Muhammadu Buhari also can reassure the general public that there are no sacred cows in his government for whom there are different set of rules.’’

“We are at a loss as to why the president would set up a panel comprising members of his cabinet to investigate other very senior powerful members of the same executive. Where is the transparency in that? This is not that we doubt the integrity of the Vice President, who we have the utmost respect, and other members of the committee.

Read also: Senate/Executive feud may linger despite SGF Lawal’s suspension

“But, it appears the matter is being settled within the Government Closet without the transparency, independence and impartiality necessary in a situation like this.’’

Making reference to President Buhari’s initial instruction to the Attorney-General of the Federation to investigate Lawal’s involvement in the Presidential Initiative for North-East (PINE’s) contracts PDP said, “That investigation cleared the SGF of all wrong doings in the grass-cutting scandal as stated above.

“It is amazing that the president who swiftly accepted the recommendations of the Attorney-General would now suddenly set up another panel, including the same Attorney-General, to investigate the matter again.”

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