N544 MILLION GRASS CUTTING SCANDAL :  EFCC Set To Challenge Validity Of Court Judgement  Freeing Babachir Lawal 

Nigeria Anti Graft Agency, the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has kicked against  the Federal High Court Judgement which absolved the former Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Babachir Lawal and  other defendants over alleged fraud and diversion of Fund                      

The Commission said it would challenge the validity of the court Ruling.                                          

Lawal, his younger brother, Hamidu David Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar and Apeh John Monday are being prosecuted by the EFCC, alongside two companies, Rholavision Engineering (fifth defendant) and Josmon Technologies (sixth defendant) on amended 10-count charge, bordering on fraud, diversion of funds and criminal conspiracy to the tune of over N544million.                                                           

Delivering Judgement on the no case submission made by the defendants, Justice Agbaza held that the Commission which presented 11 witnesses in the course of the trial, failed to establish the ingredients of the alleged offence.

The court held that the Commission did not establish that Babachir Lawal was either a member of the Presidential Initiative for North East, PINE, that awarded the contract or a member of the Ministerial Tenders Board that vetted and gave approval to the disputed contract.

However, not satisfied with the court judgment , the Anti Graft Agency Stated in a press statement  that it will obtain a copy of the judgement for urgent review with a of  challenging its validity at the appellate court.