Babachir david lawal news
Babachir Lawal is a Nigerian politician who served as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) from 2015 to 2017. Here are some recent news updates about him:
- Controversy over his resignation: In October 2017, Lawal resigned as SGF amidst controversy over his handling of a grass-cutting contract scandal. He denied any wrongdoing, but the controversy led to his resignation.
- Investigation by the Senate: The Nigerian Senate launched an investigation into the grass-cutting contract scandal, which involved the award of a contract to a company owned by Lawal's brother. The investigation found that Lawal had breached the Public Procurement Act and recommended his prosecution.
- Arrest and detention: In 2018, Lawal was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of corruption. He was later released on bail.
- Court case: Lawal is currently facing a court case over the grass-cutting contract scandal. In 2020, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his trial for allegedly mismanaging the contract.
- Support for Buhari: Despite the controversy surrounding his resignation, Lawal has remained a loyal supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2020, he publicly endorsed Buhari's re-election bid.
- Appointment as a special envoy: In 2020, Buhari appointed Lawal as a special envoy to the Middle East and North Africa. The appointment was seen as a reward for his loyalty to the president.
- Controversy over his appointment: Lawal's appointment as a special envoy was met with controversy, with many criticizing the decision given his previous involvement in the grass-cutting contract scandal.
- Defamation suit: In 2020, Lawal filed a defamation suit against the Nigerian Senate over allegations made against him during the investigation into the grass-cutting contract scandal.
These are some of the recent news updates about Babachir Lawal.