21st January, 2019
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari recommended the prosecution of dismissed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal for fraud.
Osinbajo disclosed this at a dialogue with Christian Youths in Lagos State, where he assured them that President Muhammadu Buhari administration will not share public funds to friends and families.
The Vice President while answering questions from the audience on the dismissed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ayo Oke, said the duo 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.
“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 said.
But more than a year after he was dismissed from service for corruption, the former SGF is yet to be prosecuted. The inability of the administration to prosecute Lawal has led to the opposition accusing the administration of being double faced in the fight against corruption.
The Christian Youths under the aegis of the GRILL, Ikeja Branch, held the dialogue on Sunday at the Podium Events Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.
Osinbajo said President Buhari deserved to be re-elected because of the way he had been able to address grand corruption, which was the main problem that led to the destruction of the nation’s economy.
“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.
“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 VP said.
The vice president, however, called for more tolerance among Christians and Muslims in the country.
The VP later held closed door meeting with various representatives of Igbo groups and organisations in Lagos state.