Alleged N544m fraud: Court fixes May 23 for trial of ex- SGF, others

An FCT High Court in Maitama, on Thursday, fixed May 23 for the commencement of the trial of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and three others, over alleged N544 fraud.

The former SGF was arraigned on Feb. 12 alongside Hamidu Lawal, a director in his company, Sulaiman Abubakar, staff in the company and Apeh Monday, managing director Josmon Technologies Limited

Also joined are two companies, Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologies Limited.

The case before Justice Jude Okeke, was fixed for May 23 , at the instance of the court with the consensus of all the counsel in the matter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) reports that Lawal, was not in court but other defendants in the matter were.

The defendants were dragged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful award of contract to companies Lawal has interest at the sum of N544 million.

Lawal was accused of benefiting illegally from the approval of N544,119,925.36 for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation.

The EFCC alleged that Babachir Lawal being the SGF and Hamidu Lawal, director of Rholavision Engineering Limited and Abubakar, staff about March 7, 2016 at Abuja conspired to commit the offences.

EFCC said the defendants fraudulently acquired a property, contrary to Section 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

It also alleged that Babachir Lawal knowingly held indirectly a private interest in the consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Limited for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N7 million and N6.4 million.

EFCC claimed that it was done through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE).

It further alleged that on March 4, and Aug. 22, 2016 contract for removing evasive grass worth N272.5 million and N258.1 million respectively were awarded to Josmon technologies but executed by Rholavision.

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The offences are contrary to Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

They all pleaded not guilty to the allegations against them.