THE three-man probe panel set up to investigate the culpability of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, is to sit behind closed doors
The committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was set up by President Buhari last week following his suspension of the two senior government officials.
Other members of the committee are Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Munguno.
Lawal’s suspension is in connection with contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) while that of Oke is in connection with the the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in a residential apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, in Abuja on Saturday, explained that 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 added that the panel 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 proceedings,” it stated.
The statement assured: “The panel which is expected to submit its report to the President at the expiration of the 14-day deadline, will conduct it’s work with utmost diligence and without fear or favour.”
In announcing their suspension last week, a statement by the Presidency had said that said the men will be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Signed by the Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, it added that the most senior officers in their offices to take temporary charge of their affairs.
The statement read: “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.
“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 investigation is also to enquire into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds, how and by whose or which authority the funds were made available to the NIA, and to establish whether or not there has been a breach of the law or security procedure in obtaining custody and use of the funds.”
The Committee is to submit its report to the President within 14 days.
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