Nigeria News
Senate can arrest SGF Babachir Lawal – Femi Falana
Human Rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana says the Senate can order for the arrest of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, if he fails to appear before it.
Senior advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has said that the Senate has the right to order the arrest of the SGF Lawal Babachir
Falana said in a statement, that the ongoing investigation into the North East humanitarian contract by the Senate, has legal backing.
He also explained that it was different from that of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali.
“The investigation being conducted by the Shehu Sani committee into the grass-cutting contract is backed by Section 88(2) of the constitution. So, the SGF is constitutionally required to appear and cooperate fully with the committee.
“The investigation being conducted by the Shehu Sani committee into the grass-cutting contract is backed by Section 88(2) of the constitution. So, the SGF is constitutionally required to appear and cooperate fully with the committee.
“If he fails to appear, the committee is competent to order his arrest pursuant to Section 89 of the constitution. This case is materially distinguishable from that of the CGC of Customs, who was invited to justify a policy on import duty,” Falana said.
Meanwhile the Senate, on Thursday, said it had not been able to trace the addresses of about 20 contractors engaged for the execution of various projects in the rehabilitation of the North-East.
An investigative hearing by the Senate on the alleged management of funds meant for the rehabilitation of the North-East, billed to hold on Thursday, had been botched by the non-appearance of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal.
