By Dipo Olowookere
The 3-man panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to investigate allegations against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Ayo Oke, will carry out its duties in private.
This information was disclosed on Saturday through a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande.
Mr Akande explained that the proceedings would be carried out “in closed sessions to avoid speculations, allow for full disclosure and enhance the pace of proceedings.”
However, the statement assured Nigerians that the panel will conduct its work with “utmost diligence and without fear or favour.”
On Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari set up a committee to look into the allegations of corruption on the necks of Mr Babachir and Mr Oke.
Other members of the presidential committee are the Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami; and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Babagana Munguno.
They were given the mandate to investigate allegations of legal and due process violations made against the SGF and the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.
In the discharge of its work, the panel is expected to invite all relevant officials and private individuals who may be connected to both cases.
It will also obtain and scrutinize documents that may throw some light on the issues raised in both cases.
The panel is expected to submit its report to the President at the expiration of the 14-day deadline.
