$43.4m, PINE Contract Scam: FG To Sack SGF, NIA Boss

Related stories

Air India crash: What may have gone wrong? A commercial pilot’s first analysis

There is speculation of right rudder input, which could...

National Assembly Designates June 12 as Nigeria’s Annual Presidential Address Day

By Abiola Olawale The National Assembly (NASS) has officially adopted...

Oil Prices Dip but Bullish Sentiment Remains

Crude oil prices dropped back slightly on Thursday, after...

Boeing Stocks Crash By 5% After Air India plane crash, Killing Over 200 Passengers

By Abiola Olawale The shares of an aerospace giant, Boeing,...

Indications are rife that the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke are to be relieved of their duties by the Presidency, it has been learnt.

This is may not be unconnected with the outcome of the probe into the issues in which the two top government officials were involved.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo led the three-man committee that investigated the two officials. The other members are Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Babagana Munguno.

A massive shake-up has been planned for the NIA and the SGF’s office.

Official sources said the government would soon release the findings and recommendations of the Presidential Investigative Committee, whose report was submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari before his medical follow-up trip abroad last Sunday.

Lawal was probed for alleged N200million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited,  linked with him by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) to clear ‘invasive plant species’ (weeds) in Yobe State.

Oke is being investigated for the $43.4million recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at Apartment 7B Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

It was gathered that the Presidency decided to drop Lawal and Oke “based on security reports and some fact-sheets” available to it.

Due to the administrative errors and allegations of mismanagement traced to the affected officers, it was gathered the government has started shopping for those to replace the two officials.

There have been speculations that the President may not have got the panel’s report. But it was learnt that President Buhari got the report from the Vice President before going to the United Kingdom.

Some forces are however making a strong case for the NIA DG and soft landing for the SGF.

An official said: “Everyone in the Presidency agrees that Oke’s records in NIA were outstanding and he is well-respected in the diplomatic and intelligence circles.

“No DG has performed better than Oke in the history of the NIA. The President has personal respect for him and the Vice President speaks glowingly about him.

“Since this investigation started, the government has received representations on Oke because of his diligence.

“Oke’s performance in office has put top government officials and security chiefs in a dilemma. This is someone who worked closely with former Minister of Justice Prince Bola Ajibola, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, more than five ministers of Foreign Affairs and international diplomats.”

Some administrative lapses concerning the $43.4million were said to have been described by the Presidency as “unpardonable.”

Also, there are indications that some concerned security chiefs either want him retired or redeployed to a desk in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa is an experienced, and committed communication, business, administrative, data and research specialist . His deep knowledge of the intersection between communication, business, data, and journalism are quite profound. His passion for professional excellence remains the guiding principle of his work, and in the course of his career spanning sectors such as administration, tourism, business management, communication and journalism, Hamilton has won key awards. He is a delightful writer, researcher and data analyst. He loves team-work, problem-solving, organizational management, communication strategy, and enjoys travelling. He can be reached at: hamilton_68@yahoo.com

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

[tds_leads input_placeholder="Your email address" btn_horiz_align="content-horiz-center" pp_msg="SSd2ZSUyMHJlYWQlMjBhbmQlMjBhY2NlcHQlMjB0aGUlMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMiUyMyUyMiUzRVByaXZhY3klMjBQb2xpY3klM0MlMkZhJTNFLg==" pp_checkbox="yes" tdc_css="eyJhbGwiOnsibWFyZ2luLXRvcCI6IjMwIiwibWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbSI6IjQwIiwiZGlzcGxheSI6IiJ9LCJwb3J0cmFpdCI6eyJtYXJnaW4tdG9wIjoiMTUiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMjUiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sInBvcnRyYWl0X21heF93aWR0aCI6MTAxOCwicG9ydHJhaXRfbWluX3dpZHRoIjo3NjgsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6eyJtYXJnaW4tdG9wIjoiMjAiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMzAiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sImxhbmRzY2FwZV9tYXhfd2lkdGgiOjExNDAsImxhbmRzY2FwZV9taW5fd2lkdGgiOjEwMTksInBob25lIjp7Im1hcmdpbi10b3AiOiIyMCIsImRpc3BsYXkiOiIifSwicGhvbmVfbWF4X3dpZHRoIjo3Njd9" display="column" gap="eyJhbGwiOiIyMCIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTAiLCJsYW5kc2NhcGUiOiIxNSJ9" f_msg_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_input_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_btn_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_pp_font_family="downtown-serif-font_global" f_pp_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTEifQ==" f_btn_font_weight="700" f_btn_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxMyIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTEifQ==" f_btn_font_transform="uppercase" btn_text="Unlock All" btn_bg="#000000" btn_padd="eyJhbGwiOiIxOCIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjE0IiwicG9ydHJhaXQiOiIxNCJ9" input_padd="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjEyIiwicG9ydHJhaXQiOiIxMCJ9" pp_check_color_a="#000000" f_pp_font_weight="600" pp_check_square="#000000" msg_composer="" pp_check_color="rgba(0,0,0,0.56)" msg_succ_radius="0" msg_err_radius="0" input_border="1" f_unsub_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_msg_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxMyIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" f_input_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxNCIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" f_input_font_weight="500" f_msg_font_weight="500" f_unsub_font_weight="500"]

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Air India crash: What may have gone wrong? A commercial pilot's first analysisNational Assembly Designates June 12 as Nigeria’s Annual Presidential Address DayOil Prices Dip but Bullish Sentiment RemainsBREAKING! [VIDEO] Sole Survivor Walks from Air India Plane Crash in AhmedabadBoeing Stocks Crash By 5% After Air India plane crash, Killing Over 200 PassengersRanked: U.S. International Students by Country[Video] Tragedy! UK Bound Air India Crashes, Over 204 Passengers PerishTinubu Confers National Honours on Yar'Adua, Kudirat Abiola, Ayo Adebanjo, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Humphrey Nwosu, Soyinka, Sam Amuka, Ibru, OthersSeeing Opposition In Disarray Gives Me Pleasure, Tinubu Taunts PDP, LP, OthersTinubu Denies Stopping INEC From Registering New PartiesDemocracy Day: Peter Obi Slams Tinubu for Prioritizing Politics Over the Welfare of NigeriansJune 12: PDP Raises Alarm, Says APC Is Plotting to Impose “One-Party State” on NigeriaDangote Steps Down as Sugar Chairman After Two Decades of LeadershipDemocracy Day: Reject 'Thugs Masquerading As Leaders', Utomi Urges NigeriansHow Nigeria's Money Got Into Foreign Accounts During Abacha's Reign -- Al-Mustapha
X whatsapp