SGF, NIA Boss to know Fate Soon – Osinbajo

Segun Atanda/

The suspended Secretary to Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal will soon know his fate.

Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ayo Oke were suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in April over corruption allegations.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said today in Lagos that the President would soon make public his decision on the matter.

The Vice President chaired the committee that investigated the allegations against the duo.

Others members of the investigation panel are the National Security Adviser Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) and the Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.

The panel investigated 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), while it probed Oke on the discovery of huge cash by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos for which NIA laid claim.

Speaking at the ‘Greater Nigeria Pastors Conference’ organised by the Berean Ministers Group, Osinbajo said: “On the issue of the allegations against the SGF and the DG of NIA, I can assure you President Buhari will make public his decision on the matter very soon.

“The president will decide very soon, I am sure we will get a response from him soon. But as you know, he (SGF) remains suspended and the president will certainly speak on the matter soon.”

The Vice President also touched on the recent controversy involving the Minister of State for Petroleum Ibe Kachukwu and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Maikanti Baru.

Osinbajo said the issue has always been which body has the authority to approve contracts for the NNPC.

“The issue over time has been who is responsible for the approval of contract within certain levels between the Board of NNPC and NNPC Tenders Board.

“The matter was referred to the Bureau of Public Procurement and the position was that the board referred to in the NNPC act is the tenders board.

“The only reason why this has become an issue is because it became a public document and once it became public document, people started making all forms of insinuation and twist. It is a normal conflict which can only be resolved by the SGF or the Federal Executive Council.

“If you look at the NNPC law, it says only the President can approve all contracts over a certain sum,” the Vice President affirmed.

0