Presidency to comment on Babachir Lawal saga soon

The Special Assistant to the President on Prosecutions, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla has revealed that the presidency will come up with a report on the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, soon.

The presidential aide also said that it is not clear that the suspended SGF broke any financial laws.

He said “It is an administrative process because it was not clear if there was corruption or if there was an infringement on the economic or financial laws in the country.

“The Senate that attempted to investigate it did not have the power (to do so). It cannot investigate crime; the Senate can only carry out its oversight function to expose corruption , inefficiency, maladministration in the process of lawmaking.

“It (Senate) should report to the ICPC; it should report to the EFCC. An administrative panel of enquiry (the Osinbajo-led panel ) has submitted its report to the President. After that, a committee would be set up to review and then come out with a White Paper.

“It is not automatic. A White Paper would be the government’s position on the issue. The committee can make 10 recommendations and the White Paper may accept two. So, the President is in that process of coming out with a report.

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“So, the President must follow due process before coming to a conclusion. Even if that report comes out, the President does not have powers to investigate the crime.

“The Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, ICPC, and so on are the only bodies that have powers to investigate the crime. That matter has to be investigated and if a prima facie case is established , then that person can be taken to court. Nigerians must just be patient.”

of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the alleged inactivity.