The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, ahead of his arraignment for alleged contract fraud.
Lawal, who is billed for arraignment today at the FCT High Court, and his accomplices are a 10-count fraud charge, bothering on N544, 119, 925.36 for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation.
Others in company of the ex-SSG include Hamidu David Lawal; Sulaiman Abubakar; Apeh John Monday; Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologies Limited.
Confirming the report, a source from the EFCC said, “We have detained the former SGF and some suspects in preparation of their arraignment in court on Tuesday.
“They have been served charges and their trial will commence. The EFCC team is ready for the prosecution of the suspects with its witnesses ready accordingly.”
Read also: Onnoghen’s suspension: UN Rapporteur says Buhari violated human rights standards
Th charge sheet, dated January 30, and filed by Offem Uket, M. S. Abubakar and Abba Muhammed, the EFCC accused Lawal of holding “indirectly a private interest in the contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologies Ltd by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE).
According to court papers, the contracts include:
Consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N7,009,515.96
Consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N6,453,318.38.
Contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N272,524,356.02.
Contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N258,132,735.00.EFCC