SGF Probe: Lawyer Faults Critics Of Osinbajo Panel

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Dele Adesina, has faulted those condemning the Federal Government panel looking into the allegations against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

President Buhari had established a three-man panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (rtd) as members.

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They are to probe the alleged involvement of the suspended SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal, and the NIA boss, Mr Ayodele Oke, in the grass-cutting contract in North-East Nigeria, and the alleged stashing of large amounts of foreign and local currencies in a residential apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.

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Mr Adesina, who told Channels Television that the panel was in order, said the committee might reveal some sensitive security issues in the wake of allegations against the NIA.

“I will not like to look at it from just a mere panel investigating a criminal offence because don’t forget they are not investigating the SGF alone, they are also investigating the NIA, the National Intelligence Agency. So I believe lots of security issues are involved in this matter.

“If the government thinks that the Vice President has to superintend a fact finding of all these situations, I do not see what is wrong about it, particularly as it affects the National Intelligence Agency.

“As for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, if there is a desire on the part of the Presidency to say ‘I want my own independent investigation about this matter so as to have myself persuaded’, I don’t see what is wrong about it,” the lawyer stated.