The presidential committee set up earlier this week to probe certain allegations against Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engineer Babachir Lawal, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayo Oke, will carry out its task behind closed door, it has been revealed.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by Laolu Akande, by media aide to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The committee, the statement said, has since commenced its work in earnest.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday established the three-man panel headed by Osinbajo, with Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, and National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno as members.
They are to investigate allegations of legal and due process violations made against Lawal and the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies said to belong to the NIA 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 scrutinise documents that may throw some light on the issues raised in both cases. All its proceedings will however be in closed sessions to avoid speculations, allow for full disclosure and enhance the pace of proceedings,” the statement said.
The panel which is expected to submit its report to the President at the expiration of the 14-day deadline, vowed to “conduct its work with utmost diligence and without fear or favour”.
Lawal and Oke have been placed on suspension by the President Buhari pending the outcome of investigations.
