Prominent individuals and eminent persons, groups, on Wednesday, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for suspending the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. David Lawal; and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke.

Among the groups that commended the President for suspending the SGF are the Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders.

The suspension of Lawal and the NIA boss was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

While Lawal was suspended in connection with the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on North-East, Oke was suspended in connection with the uncovering of $43m (about N13bn) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, over which the NIA has made a claim.

According to the statement, Buhari has ordered that thorough investigations be conducted into the allegations against the two top government officials.

The President therefore 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.

The committee has 14 days to submit its reports.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the allegations of violations of law and due process made against the SGF, Mr David Babachir Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North-East.

“The President has also directed the suspension of the SGF from office pending the outcome of the investigations.

“In a related development, the President has ordered a full-scale investigation into the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the EFCC in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, over which the National Intelligence Agency has made a claim.

“The investigation is also to enquire into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds; 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.

“The President has also directed the suspension of the Director-General of the NIA, Ambassador Ayo Oke, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“A three-man committee, comprising the AGF and Minister of Justice, and the NSA, headed by the Vice-President, is to conduct both investigations.

“The committee is to submit its reports to the President within 14 days.

“The most senior Permanent Secretary in the SGF’s office and the most senior officer in the NIA are to act, respectively, during the period of investigation.”

Drama as Osinbajo meets suspended Lawal, Oke

Lawal was in a meeting with Osinbajo as of the time his suspension was announced.A mild drama played out at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, shortly after the Presidency announced the suspension of the SGF and the DG of NIA.

As he was descending the staircase of the Vice-President’s office after the meeting, the suspended SGF walked into the waiting hands of State House correspondents.

When he was asked to react to his suspension, he claimed he was not aware of the development.

The following conversation ensued between the reporters and the suspended SGF:

Your suspension has just been announced. How will you react to the development?

Who announced it?

The Presidency

Then ask them. Why are you asking me? Who is the Presidency?

Have you been informed of the suspension?

By who? About what? What about you? Have you been informed?

Yes sir.

By who?

By the Presidency sir.

I have not seen it. I should have been given… I have not seen the press release; so, I cannot comment on it.

It is currently trending online. Are you doubting the authenticity of the statement?

I have not seen it.

Tell us the outcome of your meeting with the Vice-President sir.

I am always here. I always meet the Vice-President. I used to come here even before I was made the SGF.

Shortly after, Lawal was driven out of the premises in his official car, Oke also arrived the Presidential Villa.

Immediately he stepped out of his official car and sighted journalists, he was also moved to tears and turned back.

His security operatives quickly shielded him from photojournalists as he was smuggled back into his car.

They made an attempt to drive him into the forecourt of the President’s office through the Service Chiefs’ Gate but his convoy was denied access by the security men manning the gate.

He was then driven out of the premises.

Source: Punch