Babachir Lawal Says He Is Happy EFCC Is Investigating Him

Babachir David Lawal

Babachir Lawal Speaks On His Investigations

Babachir Lawal, sacked secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), says he is delighted with his ongoing probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Lawal was sacked in October 2017, after he was allegedly involved in corrupt practices.

A senate ad-hoc committee had in December 2016 accused him of spending only N570m out of the N2.5 billion awarded for the clearing of invasive plant species in Yobe state, through the Presidential Initiative on Northeast (PINE).

PINE, which was headed by Lawal, was at the time unable to account for N2.5 billion allocated to alleviate the plight of IDPs.

Amid speculations that the former SGF might have escaped justice, Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the EFCC, recently said Lawal is still under investigation.

Speaking during a Channels TV interview, Lawal said he had “always wanted” EFCC to investigate the allegations.

Asked about the investigation, he said: “I like it (the probe). In fact, I had always wanted the EFCC to be involved because the EFCC has the capacity both in terms of equipment and personnel to get to the truth.”

Lawal who is believed to be a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, said although he is being investigated for alleged corruption, it would not affect his relationship with Buhari.

“If the president were to be my brother, does it mean we cease to be brothers because I am being investigated by the EFCC?” he asked. “A relationship breaks because of a false accusation against an innocent man.”