SGF AND DG NIA – SUSPENDED

President MuhammaduBuhari has ordered an investigation into the allegations of violations of law and due process made against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. David BabachirLawal SGF in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina says that the President has also directed the suspension of the SGF from office pending the outcome of investigations. The statement also orders a full scale investigation into the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos State, over which the National Intelligence Agency, NIA has made a claim.

The investigation is also to inquire into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds 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. The statement therefore directs the suspension of the Director General of the NIA, Ambassador Ayo Oke pending the outcome of the investigation.

A three-man Committee comprising the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the National Security Adviser, headed by the Vice President, is to conduct both investigations. According to the statement, the committee is to submit its report to the President within 14 days.

Meanwhile, the Statement directs the most senior Permanent Secretary in the SGF’s office, and the most senior officer in the NIA to act during the period of the investigation. There have been calls by some National Assembly members and some interest groups for the sack of the SGF, Mr. Lawal over alleged involvement in the fraud in cleaning up of the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp in the North East.

CHUKWUBUIKE MADU