Suspended SGF Babachir Lawal Shuns Senate Invitation, Committee Vows To Submit Their Report

The suspended Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir Lawal, today refused to honour an invitation by the Nigerian Senate ad-hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption against him.

Babachir was summoned to come and provide answers to allegations of corruption leading to his suspension. The Committee gave him until 12 noon to appear, but the former SGF still did not show up. Due to his absence, the Senate Adhoc Committee on Northeast vowed to submit their report. The committee, in an interim report, indicted Lawal in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiatives on North East (PINE). Lawal was suspended following alleged contravention of the provisions of Public Procurement Act and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations pertaining to award of contracts by him. A Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led committee investigating allegations of due process violation in award of contracts under PINE had requested the Senate to furnish it with relevant documents on the matter. The Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East, Senator Shehu Sani, confirmed receipt of a letter on the issue in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday. Sani stated Osinbajo, the Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry, in a letter dated April 21, requested for the Senate ad hoc committee’s report on the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation.