YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SUSPEND, BUHARI TELLS OSINBAJO.
Ojo Taiwo
President Buhari has given Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo the power to suspend any official found wanting in the on-going investigations into some alleged fraud involving top government officials.
It is no longer news that the president had suspended the secretary to the government of the federation, Lawal and the director-general of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke for corruption-related issues.
The President also formed a three-man panel head by the vice president and comprising of Babagana Monguno the national security adviser and the attorney-general of the federation Abubakar Malami to investigate the cases and report back in two weeks.
The case of Lawal involved the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North-East to a company he owned while Oke s involved in the recovery of $43.4m, N23m and £27,000 in an Ikoyi apartment.
According to Daily Trust, a source said the president ordered Osinbajo to do a thorough job and leave no stone unturned.
The source said: “The president has authorized the panel to suspend all government officials linked to the two cases. He has asked the panel to do this even before the conclusion of its assignment.
“The president has been informed of the involvement of other government officials in the two issues being investigated. More officials have been linked to these cases and Mr. President has given the panel the mandate to suspend more people.”
The spokesperson to the vice president, Laolu Akande in a statement said the panel would work behind-closed-door and would work diligently in order to report back to the president.
“The Presidential Committee set up earlier this week by President Muhammadu Buhari to probe certain allegations against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Mr. Ayo Oke, has commenced its work in earnest.
He further explains“In the discharge of its work, the panel is expected to invite all relevant officials and private individuals who may be connected to both cases. It will also obtain and scrutinize documents that may throw some light on the issues raised in both cases.
“All its proceedings will, however, be in closed sessions to avoid speculations, allow for full disclosure and enhance the pace of work.”
He added, “the panel, which is expected to submit its report to the President at the expiration of the 14-day deadline, will conduct its work with utmost diligence and without fear or favor.”
