Finally, Babachir Lawal Stumbles Out
In my writings and private conversations, I had hinged my continuous faith in the Buhari anti-corruption war on what eventually becomes of Mr David Babachir Lawal, the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Two weeks ago, I had asked in this column: “Why is Babachir Lawal Still in Office?” For too long, it seemed President Muhammadu Buhari was unduly protecting Lawal from the kleiglight of the anti-corruption war. Matters were not helped when last January 17, the presidency wrote a curious letter to the Senate seeming to defend Lawal from the accusation of compromise in the grass-cutting saga.
Indeed, the facts of the case weighed heavily against Lawal on all fronts.
Not only did he retain his office in his private company long after he had been appointed as SGF, he awarded contract to a company (Jasmon Technologies) where he had visible interest. His own company—Rholavision, soon served as a consultant to Jasmon Technologies. Pray, what is so technical about grass-cutting as to require hiring a consultant? So what work did the consultant (Rholavision Engineering—Lawal’s company) do?
Worse still, the company he awarded the curious N270 million grass-cutting contract remitted N200 million back to Lawal’s company, apparently as a kickback. What kind of grass requires N270 million to be cut in an IDP camp? These are people dying of hunger and poor medication, but Lawal believes their greatest need is grass cutting, not food and medicaments.
The senate committee that investigated the matter showed all the transactions in clear manner. The N200 million was paid ten times (N20 million each time).
Lawal, believing that he is a core member of the Buhari kitchen cabinet, had rebuffed the senate’s invitation to clear the air on the matter. He had believed that “if the president be for me, who can be against me?”
But last Wednesday, President Buhari demonstrated, to the relief of many that he cannot be with him, if his hands are not clean. He ordered his suspension from office in a move that shocked Lawal himself, prompting him to ask rhetorically, “who is presidency?” when told that the presidency had just issued a statement suspending him from office.
Before now, Lawal is believed to have mobilised certain persons including one dubious Civil Society Organisation called Citizen Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) to mount a defence of his putrid acts. On its own, CATBAN had cleared Lawal of any blame, just as the MD of Jasmon Technologies (which paid the N200million to Lawal’s company) claimed that the money was a repayment of a loan advanced it by Rholavision to enable it—Jasmon Technologies, to complete the contract within schedule. It was a lousy afterthought! Since N200million couldn’t have been given to him as raw cash, I dare Jasmon Technologies to show evidence of bank transaction where/when Rholavision lent it that money.
Without pre-empting the findings of the 3-man panel investigating the grass-cutting deal, it is clear that this David is one of the Judases among the twelve.
Dealing decisively with the likes of Lawal, if found guilty, will be a perfect way for President Buhari to prove that in this fight against corruption, there is no deference to friend or foe.