Prof Itse Sagay indicts Buhari over delay on Babachir Lawal & Ayo Oke

Professor Itse Sagay, President Buhari’s appointed Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC) has taken his role of being a critic of the government to the Presidency as he faulted the delay of the President Muhammadu Buhari in deciding the fate of the suspended Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.

The suspended duo Bachir Lawal and Ayo Oke were hooked from the government after being indicted by independent probes into corrupt practices, but months after receiving the reports, President Muhammadu Buhari has yet to decide on their fates much to the chagrin of Sagay.

Prof Sagay while speaking on a Channels Television programme, said that action had been “much too slow” so far, but reiterated belief in the administration’s anticorruption war.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the present government is actually fighting corruption in accordance with its mandate and promises. There is no question about that,” the PACAC boss said.

“But on the specific issue of the suspended Secretary to the Federal Government and the Director of the NIA, I would agree that action has been much too slow and there should be immediate decision on this matter so that we can put it to rest and move on. I agree with that.”

Sagay however debunked the notion that Buhari’s fight against corruption has been selective and targeted at members of the opposition.

“I think there is an even-handed approach to the issue of fighting corruption. Everybody who is suspected of corruption or the commission of economic and financial crimes will be investigated and the EFCC and the ICPC who are the bodies who are invested with the authority to act in such matters will act in accordance with their own priority,”.

“I think we should make it clear. We cannot handle all cases of corruption at the same time. As you know, in this country, cases of corruption go right from the top and permeate to the lowest level.

“So, there are hundreds of thousands of corruption cases. It makes sense for the agencies to choose what to pick and what to drop.