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Tag: ex-SGF Lawal

  • Ex-SGF Lawal, brother, others get N50m bail

    FORMER Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, his brother Hamidu Lawal and two others got bail at N50 million each yesterday before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja

    The ex-SGF, his brother, Suleiman Abubakar and Apeh Monday, including two firms – Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd – were arraigned before Justice Jude Okeke on Tuesday on a 10-count charge of fraud.

    In a ruling yesterday, Justice Okeke granted them bail for N50 million, with one surety each in like sum.

    The judge said the surety must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and must be a holder of landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court, with evidence of tax payments for the past three years.

    Justice Okeke added that the surety must deposit his international passports with the court.

    The judge, in granting them bail, noted: “The prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence in line with Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 not to grant bail.

    “The court can grant bail except in situations where the defendants are likely to jump bail, interfere with investigation or attempt to conceal evidence.

    “The ACJA 2015 has made peculiar and extensive provisions regarding bail, and the court is guided by the provision, which states that a defendant shall be entitled to bail.

    “The prosecution has the right to object to the bail, but the bail application succeeds.”

    He ordered the defendants to remain in EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

    The judge adjourned to March 18, this year, for the beginning of trial.

    The alleged fraud committed by the defendants was said to be in relation to contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) for the removal of grasses in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

  • Alleged N544m fraud: Court remands ex-SGF Lawal, others

    A HIGH Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja yesterday ordered that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal and three others be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending its ruling on his bail application today.

    The court gave the order after Lawal, his brother, Hamidu David Lawal, Sulaiman Abubakar and Apeh John Monday and two companies – Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Limited – were arraigned on a 10-count charge brought against them by the EFCC, and in which they were accused of involvement in N272 million contract fraud.

    The alleged fraud was said to be in relation to contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) for the removal of grasses in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, which the ex-SGF allegedly diverted to the companies in which he has interest.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which the prosecuting lawyer, M.S. Abubakar, asked for the “shortest date” for the beginning of trial.

    At that point, lawyer to Lawal, Akin Olujinmi (SAN),  informed the court about his client’s pending bail application.

    He said: “In anticipation of arraignment, the defence filed application dated February 7, 2019, seeking the order of the court to grant bail on liberal terms

    “He never jumped bail since April 13, 2018, when he was released by the EFCC on administrative bail, and has been reporting to the EFCC based on the conditions given to him.

    “He never breached his bail conditions, even when he was given his international passport to travel for medical check-up.

    “The defendant will not run away and has no way of jeopardising investigation since it has been concluded.

    “I, therefore, urge your lordship to grant him bail on self-recognisance or on liberal terms,” Olujinmi said.

    Lawyer to the second defendant, Sunday Ameh (SAN), also prayed the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, pending the determination of the case.

    Napoleon Idenala and Ocholi Okutepa, who represented  the third and fourth defendants, equally urged the court to exercise its discretion in their clients’ favour and grant them bail on liberal terms.

    In his response, Abubakar urged Justice Jude Okeke to refuse the bail applications and order that the matter proceed without delay in the spirit of Section 19(2)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 and Section 397 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    After entertaining arguments from parties, Justice Okeke fixed ruling for today and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC’s  custody.

     

  • Ex-SGF Lawal: I’m proud to have been part of presidential cabal

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has said he did not defend himself over the allegations that led to his exit because he believed they were fabricated by those who wanted him out of office.

    He was speaking for the first time since his sack.

    The former SGF said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cannot win any election, even in his native Adamawa State, because he has become a nomadic politician, moving from one party to the other.

    Lawal, who addressed reporters in Abuja, the nation’s capital, said he was proud to have been associated with the cabal the Presidency.

    He said: “Let me tell you, nothing happened to me. It was just a fabrication, and I know it. That is why it didn’t bother me right from the beginning. That is why people don’t like me because I am self-confident. It didn’t bother me.

    “Did I defend myself that time? I am not doing it because I know they were fabricated because they wanted the SGF position. I am still doing fine. If you want to make heaven as a Christian, never carry any grudge. Forgiveness is principle number one and I want to make heaven.”

    On life outside government, Lawal said: “Before I came into government, I was a very successful businessman, a world-renowned information technology (IT) consultant. I abandoned that and came into government and was earning N930,000 every month. Now, I have been sacked.

    “Before then, I had a farm, a 1,000 hectares of farm land which I could not pay attention to because I was doing a government job. Now, I have gone back to my farm and deactivated it completely. I now have 4,000 hectares under cultivation.

  • N5bn PINE contracts: Ex-SGF Lawal faces more hurdles as EFCC grants him bail

    N5bn PINE contracts: Ex-SGF Lawal faces more hurdles as EFCC grants him bail

    Despite securing bail reprieve last night, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir Lawal is facing fresh hurdles over all contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE).

    He is expected to account for contracts worth over N5billion which were awarded by PINE under his control as the final approving authority.

    It was also learnt that the EFCC has also quizzed the younger brother to the ex-SGF, Mr. Hamidu Lawal, who took over the running of Rholavision Engineering Limited after following the appointment of Babachir.

    More than 30 companies are also under probe in connection with alleged massive fraud in PINE including a N200million contract awarded to Rholavision for the clearing of ‘invasive plant species’ (weeds) in Yobe State

    A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “In the last 48 hours, the ex-SGF has made many statements on some of the over N5billion contracts awarded by PINE. He was not detained because of the N200million ‘invasive plant species’ contract alone.

    “Preliminary investigation showed that the ex-SGF was the final approving authority for all the contracts awarded by PINE. He had say in virtually all the contracts and those given the jobs.

    “What happened was that initially PINE was placed under the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA) headed by the National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Monguno(rtd). But the NSA said such a responsibility has nothing to do with his office.

    “The government now moved PINE to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) because it has more than seven permanent secretaries that could make the coordination of the North-East Initiative smoother.

    “Findings however revealed that the ex-SGF assumed the role of the approving leading to some questionable contracts, diversion and under-delivery of services.

    “Since the former SGF was central to all the over N5billion contracts awarded, he has to account for how he came about his decisions. So, he was questioned about the N200m contract for the clearing of ‘invasive plant species’ (weeds) in Yobe State and others.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Some of the contracts being looked into had to do with rebuilding and renovation of schools in Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi and Borno states. Others border on the supply of food and relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons in Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa and Taraba sates.

    “We have interrogated Mr. Hamidu Lawal, who is  a younger brother to the ex-SGF, and we are probing more than 30 companies in respect of some of the contracts “purportedly executed” by PINE. There are more than 40 individuals implicated in the PINE scandal.

    “Most of the contracts that landed most of these people and companies in trouble were awarded in March 2016. But we started our investigation towards the end of 2016.

    “But the probe of the scandal by a Presidential Committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made us to stay action for a while. And the report of the committee is useful to our investigation.”

    As at press time, the ex-SGF was perfecting his bail conditions at the EFCC headquarters.

    Another source added: “The former SGF has been granted bail, we have approved his release. He is expected to come intermittently for interrogation from next week. His movement is also restricted to the country pending the conclusion of investigation.”

  • EFCC detains ex-SGF Lawal after eight-hour grilling

    EFCC detains ex-SGF Lawal after eight-hour grilling

    After an eight-hour grilling, former  Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal was detained yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Lawal’s interrogation  by a team of detectives is expected to continue today.

    He is being investigated over a N200million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited, which is linked to him.

    The contract was awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for clearing of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State

    A presidential panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo found Lawal guilty of infractions in the award of the contract.

    The panel recommended  further probe of some of the activities of PINE.

    The ex-SGF was removed from office  in connection with the matter..

    Lawal arrived at the EFCC headquarters at about 11am following an invitation. He wore a Safari suit with a pair of black sandals.

    After the interrogation, the EFCC opted to detain him so as to continue with the interrogation today.

    A source, who spoke in confidence said: “Following the receipt of the report of the committee headed by the Vice President, it was important to interact with the ex-SGF.

    “Upon arrival, he met with a panel of investigators who had done preliminary work on the report. Lawal was asked to make a statement and explain his role in the activities of PINE.

    “In view of the volume of issues he needs to clarify, it was more expedient to detain him till he is able to complete the first phase of the ongoing interrogation.”

    The source added: “We are looking into the accounts of the company implicated in the contract and Lawal’s.

    “Some other officers of PINE are already under probe and some assets have been seized from them.

    The Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Sammin Ammadin confirmed the detention of the ex-SGF at about 7.45pm yesterday.

    “He is with us to respond to a few issues,” he said.