The Agriculture Minister, Audu Ogbeh, has been tipped by the Presidency, for the replacement of the embattled Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who was allegedly caught in the web of massive corruption.
This came as the Presidency ordered the immediate probe of top government officials, who have been named in corrupt practices.
Sources in the Presidency, who hinted at the development, said the recent allegations that a company, Rholavision Engineering Limited, which Lawal owns, corruptly accepted payments from another company, Josmon Technologies, exceeding N270 million, was just the breaking point for the President; thus, prompting the need for his removal, about three weeks ago.
Following the indictment, one of those being touted as a likely successor to Lawal, is Audu Ogbeh, who was originally penciled down for the post, but was edged out, due to a report which claimed he had huge unsettled debts.
Presidency sources however, stated that those who wanted Lawal in place of Ogbeh, had cooked up the debt report to discredit him for the office, but that the President has since discovered that the report was actually doctored, to disqualify him.
With Lawal now considered as damaged goods, Ogbeh’s name has resurfaced, and may come up again for the post of SGF, if the President finds a better replacement for him in the Agriculture Ministry.
A source said: “With the PINE contract, which clearly borders on corruption, there is no doubting the fact that Lawal is a goner. There is no way he, or the President can defend this.
“However, one would have expected that as a decent person, he would have sent in his letter of resignation, and not wait until he is shown the way out.
“But whether or not he likes it, the allegations are too weighty for the President to ignore,” the source said.
Post a Comment