How ex-minister, 15 others stole N75.7bn -EFCC *As trials begin today

Written by Lanre Adewole
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detailed how a former Minister of Works, Dr Hassan Muhammad Lawal and 15 others allegedly stole N75.7 billion public funds through unexecuted contracts.



advertisement

The commission had subsequently slammed a 25-count criminal charge on them, with the accused persons to be arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today.

The spokesperson of the commission, Mr Femi Babafemi, confirmed the planned arraignment, while disclosing that the accused had been arrested on Tuesday, preparatory to their arraignment today.

Babafemi said Hassan and 15 others were being kept in custody for onward movement to court today.

Others charged along with Lawal were Dr Adegbola Ademola; Digital Toll Company Ltd; Okala Phillip Yakubu; Thahal Paul; Swede Control Interlink Ltd; Proman Vital VenturesLtd; PEB 04 Nigeria Ltd; Lassa Ltd; Odomac Nig Ltd; Nuirda Ltd; Hillel Gilboa; SirajNig Ltd; Geographical Information System; Wise Health Services Ltd and Dave Enejoh.

In charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/38/2011, the accused were charged with fraudulent award of contracts, money laundering and embezzlement.

Nigerian Tribune had exclusively reported on Friday, last week, that the commission was already closing in on the former minister, who had been arrested and quizzed twice and released on administrative bail, while investigation was ongoing in the alleged fraud.

Confirming his earlier arrest and detention, Babafemi had said "the return of Lawal to EFCC custody was for further interrogation, based on fresh evidence that came up in the course of investigation."

Though he was released again on administrative bail, his international travel passport was seized.

A commission source revealed that the seizure of the travel document was a pointer to his being arraigned in court soon, to answer to criminal charge.

He served as minister of works in the late President Umaru Yar'Adua-led administration.

Lawal also served as Minister of Labour and Productivity in the cabinet of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.