JUST IN: Billions Vanish From Public Coffers, Yet An SGF Lost Office Over N7.2m — Lawal
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has opened up on the circumstances surrounding his removal from office during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that the controversy which led to his dismissal involved a contract worth just N7.2 million.
Speaking on the matter, Lawal explained that the contract in question was awarded and executed by a company he said he no longer had ownership of at the time. According to him, the consultancy contract was handled through an agency under his supervision, but did not result in any financial loss to the government.
The former SGF maintained that there was no evidence of bribery, money laundering, or diversion of public funds linked to the transaction. He argued that the amount involved was insignificant when compared to the large-scale corruption allegations that have surfaced in the country over the years.
Lawal expressed disappointment that the incident cost him his position, noting that public officials have been accused of misappropriating far larger sums without facing similar consequences.
“In these days when billions of dollars get taken out of government coffers in a single deal, is it not a wonder that an SGF would lose his position and be scandalized over a pittance of N7.2 million and someone is celebrating it?” he said.
The former SGF’s remarks have reignited discussions about accountability, proportionality of punishment, and the handling of corruption allegations in Nigeria’s public service.
