President Buhari suspends Secretary to the government and Country’s spy Chief over corruption

In a statement released by the Spokesman to the President, Mr. Femi Adeshina, on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, President Buhari suspended these two officials pending the outcome of the investigation currently going on.

“President Muhammadu Buhari 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 Babachir Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).”

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

The Presidency had earlier cleared the Secretary to the Federal Government of any wrongdoings based on an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on the Issue, but the country’s Senate insistence on further investigation and allegation of selective prosecution in the current war against corruption may have necessitated this move by the president.

“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 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, over which the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has made a claim.”

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

Many international and local observers and politicians have taken to the social media to express their opinion about the move by the President.

Members of the Nigerian Senate have also commented on the development.

Mr. Shehu Sani, APC Senator- Kaduna South, stated “it is commendable that the president has taken the senate committee report and recommendations seriously.”

“The sword of truth is not just cast and sharpened for the neck of foes but also for those of friends,” said Mr. Sani, after the eventual suspension."

He added during an interview with a Nigerian online news platform, “it’s commendable for the president to heed the call to fumigate the throne of lice and bugs with the same ability he goes after rodents afar.”

“The senate and the committee have nothing personal against the SGF or any person affected, but we simply did our job in conformity with our constitutional responsibilities and the moral calling of our conscience.

“We cannot jubilate because a mighty mortal is caught in the trap of his fate, we are neither saints nor angels, but we have a duty to raise a card a blow the whistle.”

Similarly, a Peoples Democratic Party Senator from Edo State, Matthew Urhoghide, told the News Agency of Nigeria that suspension of the SGF following the Senate’s call meant both executive and legislative arms were working cooperatively to check corruption.

“We are all complimenting each other’s effort in fighting corruption, and that is the truth,” he said.

Nigerians have also challenged the National Assembly to follow suit by complementing the current anti-corruption campaign.

The current three-member investigation committee is headed by the country's Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbaji, alongside the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the National Security Adviser who as members of the committee.

The outcome of the investigations is expected to be transmitted to the President within 14 days.

President Buhari suspends Secretary to the government and Country’s spy Chief over corruption

In a move that seeks to re-enforced the notion that the current corruption war has no scared cow, Nigeria’s president has suspended the

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!