According to Reports reaching Oyogist.com, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has re-arraigned former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal before an FCT High Court in Jabi.
Lawal was earlier facing trial alongside three others namely: Hamidu David Lawal, Sulaiman Abubakar and Apeh John Monday.Also two other companies including Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd, suffered same fate.
The defendants were involved in various offences including diversion of funds, criminal conspiracy and official corruption.
One of the charges read, “That you, Engineer Babachir David Lawal, while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a director of Rholavision Engineering Ltd, on or about the 22nd August 2016 at Abuja, in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did knowingly hold indirectly private interest in the contract awarded to Josmon Technological Ltd.
“But executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N258,132,735.99 (Two Hundred and Fifty-eight Million, One hundred and Thirty-two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-five Naira, Ninety-nine kobo)
“Only, by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) though the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
They all pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges, as the defence team charged the court to allow them to continue on the bail.
