FLASHBACK: ‘Who is the presidency?’ — how Babachir Lawal reacted to the news of his suspension

Babachir Lawal, suspended secretary to the government of the federation, has finally been shown the way out.

Lawal’s travails began after the senate committee on mounting humanitarian crisis in the north-east, indicted him of corruption.

He had been accused of sharp practices in expending the funds meant for alleviating the sufferings of the displaced.

On April 19 when his suspension was announced, Lawal told reporters to ask the “presidency” why he was suspended.

In an encounter with state house correspondents shortly after his suspension was announced, the immediate past SGF who was in shock, stalled on all the questions he was asked.

Informed that his suspension was announced by the presidency, he retorted: “Who is the presidency?”

He was in a meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo when Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, announced his suspension pending investigations into the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

THE EXCHANGE IN FULL

Reporters: Your suspension has just been announced. How will you react to the development?

Lawal: Who announced it?

Reporters: The presidency

Lawal: Then ask them. Why are you asking me? Who is the presidency?

Reporters: Have you been informed of the suspension?

Lawal: By who? About what. What about you? Have you been informed?

Reporters: Yes sir.

Lawal: By who?

Reporters: By the presidency sir.

Lawal: I have not seen it. I should have been given… I have not seen the press release so I cannot comment on it.

Reporters: It is currently trending online. Are you doubting the authenticity of the statement?

Lawal: I have not seen it.

Reporters: Tell us the outcome of your meeting with the vice-president.

Lawal: I am always here. I always meet the vice-president. I used to come here even before I was made SGF.

The presidency announced his sack on Monday, while Boss Mustapha, managing director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), was announced as his replacement.

After the suspension of Lawal, Habiba Lawal, permanent secretary, Ecological Funds Office (EFO) in the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF), stepped in, in acting capacity.