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Group gives FG 30-day ultimatum to prosecute Babachir Lawal, Ayo Oke

- An NGO, HEDA, says the swiftness applied in the speedy prosecution of CJN Onnoghen should be utilised in effecting the prosecution of several pending corruption-related cases

- HEDA notes that as part of its mandate of promoting accountability in governance, it is demanding for the immediate prosecution Babachir Lawal and Ayodele Oke over alleged corruption scandals

- The NGO warns that it will seek legal means to compel the prosecution of Babachir and Oke if the federal government fails to act

A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has threatened to sue the federal government in 30 days time if it fails to prosecute the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and former director general of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke over alleged corruption scandals.

The NGO, Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA), in a letter sent to the office of the attorney general of which was disclosed on Sunday, January 27, in Lagos commended the government for the prompt prosecution of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for non-declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

It however noted that the similar swiftness applied in the speedy prosecution of Justice Onnoghen should be utilised in effecting the prosecution of several pending corruption-related cases investigated by the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

READ ALSO: BVN reportedly exposes more accounts allegedly belonging to Onnoghen

According to HEDA chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, who signed the letter, an urgent prosecution of the principal suspects in the Babachir Lawal and Ayodele Oke alleged corruption scandals should commence with immediate effect.

“First and foremost, we most humbly applaud and commend the timeous and prompt nature with which the office of the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice ensured the expeditious prosecution of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen over the non-declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

“Based on the foregoing, we had wished the swiftness applied in the speedy prosecution of Chief Justice of Nigeria was utilised and visited in effecting the prosecution of several pending corruption-related cases investigated by the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria.

“Prominent among these cases are: The reported case of fraud allegation against the former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal which was reported by several newspaper and upon which Lawal was sacked from office.

“It was reported on Oct. 30, 2017 that the former Secretary-General of the Federation, Babachir Lawal was sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari based on the recommendation of the panel headed the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

“Though, he was interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and reportedly detained by the Commission, he has yet to have his days in court,’’ Suraju said in a statement.

“Another case which bears so much resemblance with the aforementioned, was reported since 2017 wherein the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke was suspended in April, 2017.

“His suspension followed the raid conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in April 2017 where about 43.4 million dollars, and nearly 27,800 pound sterling and some N23 million ($75,000) was recovered at his empty apartment at Osborne Towers in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“He was eventually sacked on Oct. 30, 2017, based on the recommendations of the same three-man Panel headed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.’’

Suraju said HEDA noted further that “the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice is saddled with the powers to institute, undertake, take over, continue and discontinue criminal proceedings against any person before any court of law in Nigeria, other than a court-martial, in respect of any offence created.

“We have the mandate to pursue to till infinity, accountability, transparency and integrity in governance; owing to this, we hereby request that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation exercises its power to prosecute the above-mentioned individuals indicted by the Vice president’s panel, with the view to setting a standard that the law is to be upheld ultimately to setting same as a deterrent to future perpetrators.

READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda

“As part of our mandate of promoting accountability in governance and monitoring compliance of anti-corruption agencies with their mandate in ensuring fair prosecution of the fight against corruption without element of bias against only political opposition, we demand urgent and immediate prosecution of the principal suspects in the Babachir Lawal and Ambassador Oke scandal with immediate effect.

“Failure to institute the demanded legal action against suspects with one month of the receipt of this letter, our organisation will be left with no option than seek judicial action to compel your office to discharge its constitutional responsibility,’’ Suraju said in the letter.

Meanwhile, the federal government has warned against foreign interference into the nation’s affairs, capable of creating apprehension, distrust among citizens or undermining the transparency and acceptability of outcomes of the nation’s electoral process.

This was contained in a statement issued by senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, January 26.

The statement was apparently a reaction to comments made by some foreign countries including the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (U.S.A.) and the European Union, over the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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Onnoghen's Trial is Politically Motivated - APRJ | Legit TV

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