Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says
it is expected that criminal allegations will be filed against Babachir Lawal,
former secretary to the government of the federation, following a directive
from President Muhammadu Buhari that he should be prosecuted.
Lawal was sacked after a senate
committee indicted him on misappropriating funds meant for internally displaced
persons (IDPs) in the north-east but he denied any wrongdoing.
Buhari had relinquished him and
Ayo Oke, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), of their
positions.
Oke’s dismissal followed the
discovery of $43 million at an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Osinbajo spoke when he honoured
the invitation of The Christian Youths under the aegis of the GRILL, Ikeja
branch.
He said the Buhari administration
will not share public funds to friends and families, adding that the president
deserved to be re-elected because of the way he had addressed grand corruption.
While answering questions from
the audience on the former SGF, Osinbajo said Lawal and Oke were recommended
for prosecution by the committee he chaired.
“I think the first thing for us
is that the report was acted upon; the former SGF was dismissed,” he said.
“Secondly, the president has
directed that the SGF and former DG of NIA should be prosecuted.
“So, we are expecting that
prosecution will take place. The next of course is that criminal allegations
will be filed against them and the prosecution process will be completed.”
He blamed corruption for the woes
of the country, saying stealing is not taking place under this government.
“Corruption has had detrimental
effects on Nigeria’s economy. This country was subjected to corruption for many
years. Grand corruption perpetuated by previous governments is responsible for
the state of the economy,” he said.
“Many of the projects in the
country initiated by the previous government are not completed because of
corruption. Grand corruption makes people start projects and never complete
them.
“Grand corruption is when the head
of government takes money from the treasury and shares it to the people.
“You will never find people
stealing from the public treasury under this administration.
“The same individuals who robbed
this country are saying they want to come back and fix the problems.
“We should ask them what they are
going to do about grand corruption? How are you sure they are not going to
enrich their friends with public funds.”
The vice president, however,
called for more tolerance among Christians and Muslims in the country.
When?
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