The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Babachir David Lawal

  • Senate adopts report on grass cutting scam

    … To submit recommendations to presidency

    The Senate on Wednesday considered and adopted the damning recommendations of its ad-hoc committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Shehu Sani, had submitted the final report of the committee for consideration on Tuesday.

    The upper chamber did not only consider and adopt wholesale the recommendations, it also approved the votes and proceeding of Tuesday’s meeting to pave the way for eventual submission of the recommendations to the Presidency.

    The report was signed by seven out of eight members of the committee.

    It was learnt that the Senate rushed the consideration and adoption of the committee’s report which heavily indicted the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.

    The lawmakers, after adopting the final report on the alleged contravention of the Procurement Act, 2007 and breach of Oaths of Office by Lawal in the handling of projects and contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE), resolved to convey the resolutions to the Presidency for further consideration and implementation.

    The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, moved for brief adjournment to “allow the secretariat to prepare votes and proceedings of Wednesday’s plenary.

    The Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, promptly seconded the motion.

  • 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.”

  • Senate panel insists on prosecution of suspended SGF

    Senate panel insists on prosecution of suspended SGF

    The Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the Northeast on Tuesday recommended the prosecution of the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, for alleged infraction and contravention of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

    The Committee also said Lawal breached the Oaths of Office as SGF and should therefore be prosecuted by relevant authorities.

    The recommendation was submitted to the Senate by the Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Senator Shehu Sani.

    The committee said, “We are of the opinion that Engr. Babachir David Lawal has contravened the provision of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (As amended); the Public Procurement Act 2007 and breach the Oaths of Office as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and therefore should be prosecuted by the relevant authorities.”

    The committee also recommended further investigation by relevant agencies of government on why contract benefitting companies paid over N500 million naira into Rholavision Engineering Limited, a company in which Lawal has interest.”

    It added: “The banks’ transactions of Rholavision Engineering Limited and the confirmation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of Engr. Babachir David Lawal is still the signatory to Rholavision Engineering Limited accounts and 13 other accounts, some with different names; the committee is of the opinion that Engr. Babachir David Lawal has contravened the provision of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (As amended); the Public Procurement Act 2007 and breach the Oaths of Office as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and therefore should be prosecuted by the relevant authorities.”

    The committee recommended that all resources that have been misapplied or stolen by public officials should be retrieved and anybody found culpable of contravening any of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations pertaining to the award of these contracts should be duly prosecuted by relevant authorities.

    “Relevant agencies should ensure that contracts partially executed but fully paid for must be completed by the concerned contractors, or asked to refund the equivalent money of outstanding jobs to the government treasury,” it stated.

  • 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.

     

     

  • Suspended SGF shuns Senate panel

    Suspended SGF shuns Senate panel

    The Suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, failed to appear before the Senate panel probing the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the care of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East, on Thursday.

    The upper chamber convened the hearing to probe the alleged misappropriation of funds allocated to IDPs in the North East.

    The Senator Shehu Sani led ad-hoc committee submitted its interim report on the matter in December last year.

    The report heavily indicted Lawal for allegedly contravening the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations on the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on North-East (PINE).

    Lawal, who has been suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari  following his indictment by the  Senate ad-hoc committee, is also being investigated by a presidential panel over his role in the award of contracts by PINE.

    When the Senate committee submitted its report, Lawal claimed that he was not given a fair hearing.

    The committee invited him to shed more light on the allegation leveled against him.

    Sani, who briefed journalists after about two hours of waiting for Lawal, said members of the panel waited in vain to hear from the suspended SGF.

    He expressed disappointment that Lawal failed to appear before the panel despite being invited.

    The Kaduna Central lawmaker said the committee would compile its report and submit same to the Senate next week.

  • Osinbajo’s panel grills suspended SGF

    Osinbajo’s panel grills suspended SGF

    The suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, was on Tuesday quizzed by the three-man panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The panel was set up to investigate allegations of violations of law and due process made against Lawal in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    It is also probing the suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, over his link to the about N15 billion discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a residential apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Oke was grilled for over 10 hours by the panel on Monday.

    The meeting between the panel and Lawal started at about 1:00 p.m. after Osinbajo received members of the Bangladesh military delegation at the State House, Abuja.

    The SGF is still being quizzed by the panel at the time of filing this report.

  • Adeleke reflected, radiated patriotism at all times – Boroffice

    Adeleke reflected, radiated patriotism at all times – Boroffice

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice has commiserated with the government of the State of Osun and the people of the State on the demise of the first civilian governor of Osun State and senator representing Osun West, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke (CON).

    In a condolence message signed by his media aide, Kayode Fakuyi, Senator Boroffice described the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke as surprising and shocking.

    “I feel a sense of personal loss as I have lost a great friend and colleague. We shared so many great moments together. He was religiously devoted to the welfare and prosperity of his constituency. He is one Nigerian that reflected and radiated patriotism at all times. He will be sorely missed.

    “For members of the Adeleke family, friends and supporters, we should be consoled by the fact that the deceased lived an impactful life as a politician and philanthropist of high repute.

    “I pray God will grant his gentle soul eternal rest and give all of us the fortitude to bear this huge loss,” the statement read.

  • $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.

    .

     

  • $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.