EFCC RE-ARRAIGNS FORMER SECRETARY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR N544M GRASS-CUTTING SCAM

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission on Monday 30th November re-arraigned a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and Six others for the alleged fraudulent N544B grass-cutting contract.

The defendants again pleaded not guilty when the amended ten counts of fraud were read to them before Justice Charles Agbaza of the Federal High Court Abuja.

The re-arraignment, which was the second time since the case started followed the demise of the former trial Judge, Justice Jude Okeke on August 4th 2020.

Lawal along side with his younger brother, Hamidu Lawal, Suleman Abubaka, Apeh Monday and two companies, Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologis Limited was initially arraigned before the late Justice Okeke on February, 13th 2019.

The prosecuting council, Offem Uket, was to open his case on March, 18th 2019, when he announced that he had amended the ten courts, bordering on fraud, diversion of over N544B and criminal conspiracy.

The development prompted the need for a re-arraignment of the defendants, who again pleaded not guilty to the charges.