David Lawal
President Muhammadu Buhari fired two top aides facing graft allegations after receiving the report of an investigation he ordered.
David Lawal was replaced as the secretary to the government by Boss Mustapha with “immediate effect,” while Ayo Oke was fired as the director general of the National Intelligence Agency without a replacement, according to an emailed statement from the presidency. Calls on numbers listed for Lawal and Oke for comment didn’t connect.
Lawal was alleged to have violated the “law and due process” in the award of contracts, the presidency said in April. Oke was investigated over the discovery in a private residence of cash of $38 million and other currencies said to belong to the agency.
Buhari, 74, won 2015 elections after campaigning to end widespread corruption in Africa’s top oil producer.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led a panel that probed the allegations of graft against Lawal and Oke. The report was submitted to Buhari on Aug. 23 on his return from a three-month medical leave in London.
“While it’s a welcome development, it’s coming too late,” said Idayat Hassan, director of Abuja-based Centre for Democracy and Development, adding that Buhari has been slow to act against loyalists. “It tends to justify the assertion that the anti-corruption fight is selective.”
