A prosecution witness testified on Thursday that Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was unaware of the N544 million contract award allegation.
In February 2019, Lawal was charged with ten counts in an FCT High Court over a grass-cutting contract awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East to a company linked to him, Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd.
The witness, Julius Sunday Babalola, head of procurement in the Office of the SGF, yesterday said the ministerial tenders board for the PINE was solely responsible for the award of the contract.
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He said Lawal was not a member of the board and did not participate in any stage of the awarding of the jobs.
He said 18 firms were awarded contracts for the removal of evasive weeds during the tender while he was not aware of the prosecution of the 16 other firms, except the two where the minister’s brother had an interest.
Justice Charles Agbaza adjourned the case to November 3 and 10 for hearing.
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