An FCT High Court in Maitama, on Thursday fixed May 23 for the
commencement of trial of former Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and three others, over alleged N544m
fraud.
commencement of trial of former Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and three others, over alleged N544m
fraud.
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| Babachir Lawal, former SGF |
The former SGF was arraigned on Feb. 12 alongside Hamidu Lawal, a
director in his company, Sulaiman Abubakar, staff in the company and
Apeh Monday, Managing Director Josmon Technologies Limited.
director in his company, Sulaiman Abubakar, staff in the company and
Apeh Monday, Managing Director Josmon Technologies Limited.
Also joined are two companies, Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologies Limited.
The case before Justice Jude Okeke, was fixed for May 23, at the
instance of the court with the consensus of all the counsel in the
matter.
instance of the court with the consensus of all the counsel in the
matter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) reports that Lawal, was not in court but other defendants in the matter were.
The defendants were dragged to court by Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy and
unlawful award of contract to companies Lawal has interest at the sum of
N544 million.
Commission (EFCC) on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy and
unlawful award of contract to companies Lawal has interest at the sum of
N544 million.
Lawal was accused of benefiting illegally from the approval of
N544,119,925.36 for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified
irrigation.
N544,119,925.36 for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified
irrigation.
The EFCC alleged that Babachir Lawal being the SGF and Hamidu Lawal,
director of Rholavision Engineering Limited and Abubakar, staff about
March 7, 2016 at Abuja conspired to commit the offences.
director of Rholavision Engineering Limited and Abubakar, staff about
March 7, 2016 at Abuja conspired to commit the offences.
EFCC said the defendants fraudulently acquired a property, contrary
to Section 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Act, 2000.
to Section 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offences Act, 2000.
It also alleged that Babachir Lawal knowingly held indirectly a
private interest in the consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision
Engineering Limited for the removal of invasive plant species and
simplified irrigation to the tune of N7 million and N6.4 million.
private interest in the consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision
Engineering Limited for the removal of invasive plant species and
simplified irrigation to the tune of N7 million and N6.4 million.
EFCC claimed that it was done through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE).
It further alleged that on March 4, and Aug. 22, 2016, contract for
removing evasive grass worth N272.5 million and N258.1 million
respectively were awarded to Josmon technologies but executed by
Rholavision.
removing evasive grass worth N272.5 million and N258.1 million
respectively were awarded to Josmon technologies but executed by
Rholavision.
The offences are contrary to Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
They all pleaded not guilty to the allegations against them.
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