Following the sacking from the office of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, the presidency affirmed on Monday that nobody will be shielded from investigation.
A statement by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Adviser on Publicity, said further actions will be taken by the relevant government agencies.
Mr. Lawal was formally removed from office on Monday along with the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke.
Shehu said President Muhammadu Buhari’s position is those investigation agencies which have already commenced the investigation of the two officers will go on with their work of investigation without any interference or hindrance.
“The President who is fully conversant with the provisions of the constitution will not stop the investigation of anyone because he has no such power under our laws,” Shehu added. “This is a decision of the Supreme Court.”
He noted that under the law, the President, through the Attorney General, can enter a nolle prosequi to stop an on-going trial, and upon conviction, order a pardon.
“Beyond these, the president cannot order investigation agencies to not investigate anyone and does not intend to do in this, or any other circumstance,” he said, adding that President, therefore, expects the EFCC, ICPC and such agencies to proceed with ongoing investigations.
“When and where they have reasonable grounds to charge former or serving officers to court under our laws, they do not require the permission of the President to do so,” Shehu further stated.
Analysts told SaharaReporters it is curious that the presidency is still focusing on investigations rather than the prosecution of the two men.
