Suspension of SGF would strengthen fight against corruption – Senator Aliero

By Christiana Ekpa Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) has described the suspension of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, and Director General of National Intelligence Agency as a welcome development that will uplift and strengthen the fight against corruption. Senator Aliero also disclosed that suspension of the (SGF), Engr. Babachir, would strengthen executive and legislative relationship. Speaking on the development with news men at National Assembly Complex yesterday, Aliero a former governor of Kebbi State said that the report of Senate Ad-hoc Committee on humanitarian crises in the North East which indicted the SGF was detailed. He added that the Senate's earlier resolve for the sack of SGF was not borne out of sentiment, but was in line with the anti corruption agenda, which ought to have been the responsibility of all arms of government. "The suspension of SGF is a welcome development which will go a long way in mending fences with the executive". "The ad-hoc Committee on the humanitarian crises in the North East was very clear and without fault. For Mr. President to suspend SGF that has been the wish of the Senate," he said. "The National Assembly is actually very happy with development, because the executive has confirmed with the legislators and we are happy that most of the findings of the Senate have been up held by the committee set up by Senate. We are actually happy that it happened this way." Also, Senator Muhammad Hassan who said he was not aware of any suspension disclosed that the suspension of the SGF may not have been connected with the Senate Adc-hoc committee report, based on the fact that the report was interim; adding that, the committee is yet to lay final report before the Senate. "I am just hearing this from you now. I am not aware, but you know I am a member of the committee and our position have not been made known. You know it was an interim report that was presented to the Senate; and the final report, I am sure when we resume we will lay it on the floor of the Senate. I am not aware of any suspension; and I cannot comment on what I don't have information on. I am a member of the committee; it has been investigated and we have not laid the final report." "If you recall, we were to have public hearing where all those involved will be invited; and that couldn't hold for some obvious reasons that were stated on the floor of the Senate. But what I know is that the committee will ensure that the report is laid on the floor of the Senate." Recall that in response to the lawmakers' indictment of Mr. Lawal, and call for his removal over alleged abused of office, President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the Senate, defending the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and giving reasons why he could not be removed or be prosecuted as demanded by the Senate. The President's letter, read by Senate President Bukola Saraki, said the SGF was not given fair hearing before the indictment. Efforts to reach Ad-hoc Committee Chairman on humanitarian crises in the North East, Senator Shehu Sani, to confirm if the suspension of SGF was as a result of the Committee report has not yielded results as his phone was switched off. brought to you by Mr Olumide's Blog MOB