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Tag: Ayo Oke

  • Osinbajo’s panel submits report Monday

    Osinbajo’s panel submits report Monday

    The Presidential Investigative Panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will submit its report to President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

    The panel was mandated to investigate the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal over due process violations in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    The panel was also tasked to probe the suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, over his alleged link with the money discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a flat in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The panel, which was set up a fortnight ago, was given 14 days to carry out the assignment.

    Apart from grilling Lawal and Oke in the past two weeks, the panel had also quizzed some top officials of relevant agencies.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, reads “The three-man Presidential Investigative Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, under the chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to inquire into the discovery of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos and the allegations of due process violations in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) is completing its assignment today (Wednesday) and is scheduled to present its reports to the President on Monday, May 8, 2017.”

  • Expectations for the Week

    Expectations for the Week

    Senator Danjuma Goje of Gombe state claimed last week that men of The Nigerian Police Force took away documents containing the 2017 budget last week and this sent down cold down the spines of many concerned Nigerians.

    Quickly, the Nigerian police came out to clear the air, they said they found some millions (although, this is no longer news to many Nigerians) and some incriminating materials too. The masses were happy, they leaped for joy, and they wanted to see where the investigation will lead to.

    Alas, their expectations were cut short when all materials and monies gotten from the former Gombe governor were given back to him. Now, why were the monies and materials returned? We may never know the full truth but many suspect that it was settled “politically”. Is this good for our democracy?

    Well, some may argue that we can’t separate politics from governance and such settlements are bound to happen.

    On the other hand, Nigerians are hopeful that the budget will be thoroughly worked upon by the National Assembly and approved soon. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adeshina has said that the budget for this year isn’t behind schedule yet because last year’s budget is to expire on the fifth of this month, therefore, we still have four days before we are due for a new budget.

    For the second time, the suspended boss of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke will be interrogated by the Vice President Yemi Osibanjo-led panel to listen to his side of the story concerning the cash found in an Ikoyi private home recently.

    Hopefully, the truth behind the found billions will be exposed to the world and it will serve as a deterrent to other public office holders.

    In the last few weeks, President Muhammadu Buhari has not been seen at public functions, in fact, he didn’t go for the usual Jumaat service last Friday which further fueled speculation that the President is not in a good shape.

    He also wasn’t available for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last week which has gotten many people worried. Many people including Wole Soyinka have asked the number one man in Nigeria to release the detailed medical record of his health to the public.

    Will he proceed to release that? Time will tell but we can all continue to hope for the betterment of his health for the benefit of the country.

    By @Segun_Odunayo

  • Osinbajo’s panel resumes sitting at Aso Rock

    Osinbajo’s panel resumes sitting at Aso Rock

    The presidential investigative panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo resumed sitting at the State House, Abuja, on Friday.

    The panel, mandated to probe the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and the suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, is expected to submit its report to President Muhammadu Buhari next week.

    It is probing Lawal over allegations of violations of law and due process in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    The panel is also probing Oke’s link with the N15 billion discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a flat at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The committee grilled Oke for about 10 hours on Monday while Lawal appeared before the committee for about two hours on Tuesday.

    Those in attendance at the panel’s closed door meeting on Friday were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

     

     

  • Expectations for the week

    Expectations for the week

    The Nigerian polity has continued to get heated up by displays from players in the political “industry”.  Various occurrences across the country have made tongues roll and the controversial large amount found in a private residence in Ikoyi is still making headlines across the country.

    Just last week, the presidency announced the immediate suspension of Secretary to the Federal Government, David Babachir Lawal and National Intelligence Agency boss, Amb. Ayo Oke. Their positions are still pending depending on the report of the investigative panel headed by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

    Lawal was suspended for his alleged involvement in a contract given to an organization where he was signatory to the account; the bad thing was that the contract was not properly executed. Many Nigerians have expressed happiness in this action from the President especially as it’s believed that Lawal is a top member of the “cabal”.

    Earlier, the Senate had fingered him to have been involved in the deal, but a letter from the government and his refusal to appear before the Senate when invited seemed to have ended the case.

    Tosin Adeshina, a political analyst said: “The suspension is a good development as the actions of the former SGF has cast a blithe on the Federal Government. Even though it’s coming late, I believe it’s not too late to right the wrongs of the past.

    “The former SGF abused his office by awarding contract to his personal company which is against the Code of Conduct for public officers and he had paid a high price for it.

    “The lesson for political office holders is that public office must not be used for personal enrichment but a privilege to serve.

    “The Government is an authority for the people not an authority over them. As a result, government officials must stay away from acts that will bring disrepute to their integrity.

    “I will also like to advise President Buhari to take actions when necessary as foot dragging on important decisions is a sign of weakness on the President in particular and the Presidency in general”.

    On the other hand, Oke got his suspension for the controversy that surrounded the organization he headed that involved the found 13 billion naira in a private residence believed to be owned by a member of his family for “covert” operations.

    Now, the questions on the lips of many are – can there be any COVERT operation not known to the Commander-in-Chief?  Did Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and Femi Fani Kayode LIE to the general  public by getting the name of Rotimi Ameachi involved in this controversy? Is Amb. Oke standing in to cover up for some powerful politicians as claimed? Well, in some days’ time, the investigative panel should certainly have answers to this question and many others currently popping up in the minds of millions of Nigerians.

    One of the worst things to have happened to the Nigerian Professional Football League this season was announced last week, it came like a blast. Our league was no longer going to be shown on television again. Supersport, the station that used to ensure that at least one league match was beamed live to the world every weekend made it public that the League Management Company led by Shehu Dikko had broken some part of the “deal” and so they were going to stop the weekly live broadcast. For about two weeks now, the league had stopped being on television but until the clarification, it was not too clear what the problem was.

    Earlier in the season, Sikiru Olatunbosun of Mfm Fc had scored a screamer that made him win the award for CNN goal of the week. Infact, many have started tipping the goal to win the FIFA Puskas award early next year. But with this development, it’s unfortunate that people will no longer have access to seeing games again except they visit stadiums.  Obviously, a whole lot of development still needs to be brought into the Nigerian league to make it profitable and marketable to the world.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

  • $43.4m: Osinbajo panel writes SGF, NIA DG

    $43.4m: Osinbajo panel writes SGF, NIA DG

    •Suspended officials to respond before Monday •EFCC obtains details of NIA’s transactions with CBN

    •How agency spent Jonathan’s $289m special votes ‘

    The Presidential Investigative Committee has formally written to the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr.  Ayo Oke.

    The committee, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, directed the two officials to submit all documents relating to award of contracts by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) and the cash remittances to NIA in the last two years.

    Lawal is being probed over alleged N200 million contract awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) to Global Vision Limited, a company with which he has links, for the clearing of ‘invasive plant species’ (weeds) in Yobe State.

    Oke, on the other hand, is being investigated over alleged $43.4 million covert operations cash uncovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the 7B apartment in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The Osinbajo-led panel wrote to the two embattled government officials on Thursday, asking them to submit a comprehensive report complete with all available documents related to the allegations that were levelled against them.

    The documents they are expected to submit include

    • details of appropriated funds in the last two years;
    • allocation of special funds if given;
    • approvals for funds and by who;
    • expenditures; withdrawals from the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) if any;
    • covert operations and for what purposes;
    • completed and non-completed projects;
    • list of contracts awarded;
    • ongoing projects;
    • and operation of safe houses.

    The committee expects the two officials to send their responses to the panel on or before Monday. A source said the committee will start “interacting with the suspended officials from next week.”

    The modalities for their appearance are being worked out by the committee, the source said.  Some government agencies will be invited too for “interaction,” he said.

    Findings made by our correspondent at press time indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has retrieved the details of all transactions on NIA’s account from the CBN.

    “We learnt that the anti-graft agency has collected the details of inflow and outflow from our account from the apex bank without our knowledge,” a source in NIA said.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have been implicated as the approving authority of a sum of $289 million  given to NIA from the account of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    The said sum, tagged Special Intervention Fund, was said to have been approved by the former president for the security agency in February 2015, in the build-up to the presidential election he eventually lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The embattled NIA DG reportedly said he has a copy of the approval letter from Jonathan.

    It was gathered that the Osinbajo committee will also probe speculations that the $289 million might have been part of the slush funds deployed for the 2015 general election.

    A presidency source said: “This is part of why the ongoing investigation is necessary. We suspected that there might be more to it because the funds were released in February 2015.

    “Even if in confidence, Osinbajo’s committee will want to know the nature of the covert operations.

    “The NIA is claiming that the Special Intervention Funds were given to all security agencies but without the approval of the National Assembly.

    “The motive was suspected to have a link with the 2015 presidential election. The funds might be Jonathan’s war chest.”

    Corroborating  the suspicion, a former Assistant Director of NIA, Mr. Ibrahim Ibrahim, told a national newspaper that “Jonathan approved $289 million or so in November 2014 in excess of the approved budget of the agency.

    “So, that excess  was intended  as campaign funds.”

    But a  top NIA official faulted the claim.  “Ibrahim was talking rubbish, he was disengaged a long time ago.

    “He was no longer in the system, so he could not have known of appropriated or special funds. ”

    “How can someone who left the system about five to six years ago be talking authoritatively?

    “Even as an Assistant Director in the system, he could not have known about the financial status of NIA. He is too junior to be in the picture.”

    He said  Ibrahim was disengaged for alleged extreme religious views, he has been looking for any opportunity to get back at NIA.

    “Let him leave the Presidential Investigative Committee to do its job, he said.

    Another source in NIA, who gave an insight into the approval by Jonathan and how the allocation came from NAPIMS, however, said: “When the budget performance was poor and funds were not forthcoming, the former President approved special intervention funds for all security agencies.

    “There is a document showing in clear terms that the ex-President approved the $289 million.

    “We used the funds to upgrade our ICT facilities; execute an ultra-modern conference centre; construct electronic gates in NIA; build 90 (three-bedroom) flats for staff which were completed in December 2016; construct link road and do the ongoing fencing of NIA.

    “It should be put on record that apart from the special intervention funds, NIA was not given any money for capital projects in 2015.

    “Our suspended DG will hand over all the details to the Presidential Investigative Committee, including the approval by the ex-President.

    “A multi-national company handled most of these projects. The company can be invited.”

  • EFCC may investigate SGF, NIA – Presidency

    EFCC may investigate SGF, NIA – Presidency

    The suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, may be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when the three-man panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari concludes its work, the Presidency has said.

    Buhari had on Wednesday suspended Lawal over the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on North East, while Oke was suspended in connection with discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the EFCC in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, for which the NIA has made a claim.

    The President set up a three-man committee comprising the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, to investigate the allegations against both government officials.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who featured on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast Programme on Channels Television in Abuja on Friday, said both government officials would be handed over to the EFCC if there is need for it.

    Adesina also said it was right for Buhari to set up an investigative panel to look into the allegations against the SGF and the claim to the slush funds by the NIA DG.

    He said: “If it (investigation by the EFCC) gets to that point it will be done but it seems not to have got to that point now. After the investigation, after the panel concludes its work and there is anything for the EFCC to look at I am sure it will be done.

    “The government believes that setting up an investigation at this time is right and government has the mandate of the people. It will not satisfy everybody but it does not matter.

    “You will never win with some Nigerians, they will always find faults but then, government has been elected and government is in place to do certain things and government would do what it believes to be right at any given time.”

    The presidential aide also said the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption fight had always been there.

    “The anti- corruption war had been there. You don’t necessarily judge something by the volume of noise that accompanies it. For me as an insider I know a lot had been going. Allegations must always be investigated,” he said.

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  • Suspended NIA DG denies crying

    The suspended Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke on Thursday denied media reports claiming that he cried when he visited the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
    According to him, he was only concerned about avoiding the journalists on his way to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s office.
    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu reads: “Widespread reporting that Ambassador Ayo Oke of the National Intelligence Agency had cried are unfair and charitable.
    “Witnesses to his visit to the Vice President and his own personal account, say that he arrived to a swarm of journalists which he wanted to avoid.
    “He asked his driver to make a quick turn and instead, he headed to the Glass House, the Headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS. From there, he put a call to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina and requested that he help to clear the journalists so that he can make a quiet entry to the VP’s office and that is what happened.
    “In an SUV with darkened windows, no one could have seen an occupant crying,” Shehu stated.

  • $43.4m: Osinbajo Panel compiles list of invitees

    $43.4m: Osinbajo Panel compiles list of invitees

    Barely 24 hours after its constitution, the Presidential Investigative Committee on alleged infractions by two senior government officials got cracking yesterday.

    The committee, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is probing suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ayo Oke.

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

    Oke is being investigated over the $43.4million “covert operations” cash, which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) found in an apartment in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Contrary to the popular thinking that the NIA hid the $43.4million away from President Muhammadu Buhari, sources in the agency said yesterday that a brief was submitted to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) detailing the cash at hand as part of a comprehensive report for the President. But it was not clear last night whether the President actually got the report.

    The Vice President and committee members met yesterday on their two-week mandate.

    A source said: “The VP and members of the panel met to set up the structure for their investigation and list those who are likely to be interrogated.

    “Members also got copies of the Interim Report which was submitted to the Presidency by the Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu and briefs from Engr. Babachir Lawal and Amb. Ayo Oke.

    “The collation of issues to determine was ongoing as at press time .Once it is done, what is left is to isolate others who will appear before the panel, apart from Magu, the SGF and DG NIA. It is a big assignment with the right foundation laid by different memos/briefs already submitted to the Presidency.”

    The committee is also expecting details of the operation in Osborne Towers from the EFCC, whose Acting Chairman Magu returned to Abuja yesterday.

    Another source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The committee will certainly interact with all those involved in the request and approval of the funds; the remittance of the cash and those in charge of the management of Osborne Towers.

    Some lawyers may represent the embattled SGF, the NIA DG, companies and others who are to appear before the committee. But, it could not be immediately ascertained if the committee will be disposed to the engagement of lawyers.

    A source said: “This investigation is about the reputation of some individuals and companies who have decided to engage lawyers to be on their defence team.

    “Those affected do not want to appear before the committee and get locked in any technicality which may lead to their dismissal or prosecution.

    “Their argument is that it is also the standard practice all over the world to get counsel to come along with those being investigated.”

    NIA sources insisted last night that the agency did not hide the $43.4million from President Buhari.

    A source said: “Contrary to what is being said, the NIA actually did not hide the $43.4million from President Muhammadu Buhari. This will imply that the agency has an ulterior motive.

    “What actually happened was that the agency’s brief was submitted to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) detailing the cash at hand, including the $43.4m, as part of a comprehensive report for the President.

    “We have all the memos written to ONSA. It is also a good development that the NSA, Gen. Babagana Monguno, is a member of Osinbajo’s committee. We hope that at the appropriate time, he will step aside to either corroborate or deny these memos.”

    Apart from the Vice President and Monguno, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami(AGF), is also a member of the committee.

    The three-man committee is expected to:

    • enquire into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds;
    • find out how and by whose or which authority the funds were made available to the NIA; and to
    • establish whether or not there has been a breach of the law or security procedure in obtaining custody and use of the funds.

    There were indications last night that the EFCC has ended its search and combing operations in Osborne Towers in Lagos in respect of the $43.4million haul.

    The operatives drafted for the assignment have returned to Abuja.

    But a skeletal surveillance was left in the controversial Apartment 7B.

    Also, it was learnt that the anti-graft commission has obtained some vital documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on the company used to acquire the apartment by the National Intelligence Agency (CAC).

    It was gathered that one of the documents provided a fresh insight into the acquisition of the apartment with EFCC putting another company in Ikeja under watch.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC has ended its search and combing of apartments in Osborne Towers. Those who went for the operation in Lagos are back to Abuja.

    “There is however a surveillance still being out in place in Apartment 7B where over $43.4million was recovered.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We have also obtained vital documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) implicating another company in Ikeja. The company is now under EFCC watch including the profiling of its accounts.

  • Makarfi rejects Osinbajo panel, calls for independent probe of Lawal, Oke

    Makarfi rejects Osinbajo panel, calls for independent probe of Lawal, Oke

    The Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the probe panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the suspended duo of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Dr. Ayodele Oke.

    Instead, the PDP faction has called for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the suspended officials.

    Lawal and Oke were on Wednesday suspended from office by President Buhari following the former’s involvement in alleged contract scam and the latter’s claim to ownership of hidden cash discovered in a private apartment in Lagos.

    Following their suspension, the President set up a three-man panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to probe the two public officials.

    The National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Mongunu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, are members of the probe panel.

    While Lawal will be answering questions on a N230 million grass cutting contract he awarded to his company, Rholavision Engineering Limited, Oke will be grilled on his claim to the ownership of cash totaling about N13 billion in local and foreign currencies discovered in a private apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    But in a statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Makarfi described the Osinbajo panel as “another ruse” to deceive Nigerians and dress up the “flailed” anti-corruption war in a new garb.

    Makarfi’s argument is hinged on the fact that the Presidency had earlier dismissed a Senate ad hoc committee’s report that indicted Lawal and which had called for his removal and prosecution.

    A report of investigation on Lawal, submitted by Malami had cleared the suspended SGF of wrongdoing in the contract scam, thereby rubbishing the Senator Shehu Sani report that indicted the SGF.

    The statement said, “Let Nigerians recall that the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria did set-up an ad-hoc Committee in 2016 headed by Senator Shehu Sani, a Senator representing Kaduna Central, to investigate the expenditures and activities of the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE), which Engr. Babachir in his capacity as the SGF was overseeing.

    “The Committee also investigated the alarming rate of humanitarian crisis in the North-East occasioned by the diversion of grains from the Strategic Grains Reserve and other food supplies meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in that region.

    “Consequently, the Senate ad-hoc Committee indicted the SGF, Engr. Lawal for the mismanagement of PINE funds and the award of multi-million Naira grass cutting contract to one of his companies, Rholavision Engineering Limited and other ghost companies.”

    Expressing reservations about the inclusion of the AGF in the new probe panel, the party pointed out that it is an anomaly to include the same Malami that cleared Lawal in the Osinbajo panel.

     

     

  • How Buhari sealed SGF Lawal’s, NIA DG’s fate

    How Buhari sealed SGF Lawal’s, NIA DG’s fate

    President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ayo Oke after two meetings with his kitchen cabinet, The Nation learnt last night.

    There were indications last night that the Presidency may not recall the officials. Besides, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the wife of the suspended DG for questioning.

    But some members of the kitchen cabinet are opposed to the grilling of Mrs. Folashade Oke by EFCC since the President has raised a three-man committee to investigate the DG.

    They said the presidential panel should complete its assignment before the EFCC moves in.

    The suspension of the two officials was to enable the Federal Government investigate alleged infractions against them before a formal acceptance of their resignation.

    Babachir will be probed over alleged N200million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited, allegedly linked with him by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for the clearing of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State.

    Oke is being investigated for alleged $43.4million operations cash, which was found by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi,

    Lagos.

    The President wielded the big stick after two meetings with members of his kitchen cabinet on Tuesday night and at about 11am on Wednesday, a source told The Nation.

    At the Tuesday night meeting were the President, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) and Chief of Staff Abba Kyari, who has just returned from a medical trip overseas.

    The Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Mr. Lawan Daura, who was to be part of the meeting, could not make it because he was in transit from Saudi Arabia where he had gone for lesser Hajj( Umrah).

    But on Wednesday morning, the DG, DSS was part of the second session.

    According to sources, the meeting went through the EFCC Interim Report on the $43.4million; a fresh security report on the PINE contract in which the SGF was implicated; the Senate Report on PINE and available options.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The meeting was painstaking in looking at issues against the two officials, especially allegations bordering on compliance with due process and financial regulations and alleged abuse of office.

    “The outstanding records of the DG of NIA made the meeting solemn but it was decided that there should be no scared cow. The implication of the wife of NIA DG on how the safe apartment was secured to keep the $43.4million was found to be ‘abnormal’.

    “Non-disclosure of the cash to the President after almost two years in office was also said to be unexplainable.”

    “As for SGF Babachir Lawal, fresh security reports available to the President decided his fate. Some decisions taken by PINE under his watch were faulted by the meeting.

    “The President strongly felt the two officials crossed the line and he said the excuses were unacceptable.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “At the end of it all, the meetings were caught in-between investigation and immediate resignation of the SGF and NIA DG.

    “Some of those at the sessions wanted the NIA DG to proceed on pre-retirement leave because of the sensitive nature of the operation of the agency.

    “As a matter of fact, the DIG had personally submitted a letter for leave of absence to the President to allow unfettered investigation. Oke said he was more interested in the survival of the intelligence system than his personal survival.”

    After weighing the options, the meetings strongly recommended investigation into the alleged infractions against the officers to ascertain what went wrong, unmask other accomplices and learn some lessons for the future.

    The source went on: “The Presidency was of the opinion that there might be more to the $43.4million haul. It described the covert operations as suspicious with the immediate administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan rated as complicit.

    “The suspension of the officers was designed to allow the conduct of the investigation into the activities of the two officers before a final decision is taken.”

    Asked why the President acted decisively on the cases, the source said it was because of the reasons as follows:

    •   need not to compromise of the anti-corruption agenda;
    •   public opprobrium on  the grass cutting allegation against the SGF and the $43.4million cash haul;
    •   perception that the government is weak in taking decisions against its officials; and
    •   the need to respect the decision of the Senate on the SGF to pave the way for the ongoing mediation between the Executive and the Legislature

    The two officers were caught unawares by the news of their suspension.

    Another source said: “As a matter of fact, there was no formal letter of suspension served on the SGF and the DG of NIA before the announcement was made.

    “They were both in office when the news was broken to them by their friends and associates. So, they later heard it on radio and television.

    “The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo however had audience with the two officers where he explained why they had to go on suspension.”

    The highly-placed source believes that the government may not recall the suspended officials. They might either be retired or asked to formally resign from office, he said, pleading not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

    He added: “If there is any strong reason to prosecute them, affected officials, the government will do so, depending on the recommendation of the three-man panel headed by the Vice President.

    “Already, the Presidency is sourcing for their replacement. Some candidates have been pencilled down. As for NIA, the suspended DG will soon be 60 and his tenure will end in November. Technically, he is expected to proceed on pre-retirement leave from August.”

    Amb. Arab Yadam (Plateau State) is said to have taken over as the Acting DG of NIA.

    Yadam is said to be the senior Deputy DG among Oke’s two deputies.

    Also, it was learnt that Dr. Habibat Lawal (Bauchi State), who is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has stepped in as the Acting SGF.

    Meanwhile, there was disquiet in the Presidency last night following the summoning of the wife of the DG of NIA by EFCC.

    The anti-graft commission has invited her for interrogation over the $43.4million recovered from Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers. Her company was alleged to have acquired the apartment for the NIA.

    But some government officials were said to be opposed to the invitation of Mrs. Oke since a presidential committee was already in place.

    “Some government officials felt the presidential committee should complete its assignment before EFCC steps in.

    “They said it will be improper and untidy for a presidential panel to be investigating and EFCC is doing the same thing. “This development is causing some disquiet in the Presidency,” another source said.