Senate summons SGF, Babachir Lawal again

chika ebuzor

March 21, 2017 10:03 PM

Lawal is reportedly under investigation by a Senate Ad-hoc Committee over the alleged mismanagement of funds.

The Senate has summoned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Babachir Lawal for the second time.

Lawal is reportedly under investigation by a Senate Ad-hoc Committee over the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

According to Daily Post, the chairman of the committee, Senator Shehu Sani said the SGF is expected to shed light on some issues.

The committee, in a letter dated March 15, 2017, and signed by its chairman, said “The Senate at its sitting on 4th October, 2016, debated on a motion “mounting humanitarian crisis in the north east” after which an ad-hoc committee was constituted to among other things.

“The committee was to conduct a public hearing in order to ascertain how much has been released to the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) And also to ascertain how these funds have been utilized from inception to date.

“The committee was also expected to investigate the diversion of grains and other food items from the Strategic Grain Reserves, NEMA and other sources for the IDPs.

ALSO READ: How SGF allegedly got N200m bribe from contract awarded by him

“Consequently, the committee held a three day public hearing between 6th to 8th, December, 2016, even though some of the invited stakeholders refused to attend. In order to give them a fair hearing, the committee has resolved to conduct another public hearing. You are hereby invited once more to the public hearing.”

The Presidency had written to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki saying that the report of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East, lacked the principle of fair hearing.

chika ebuzor