Babachir Lawal Alleges “Big Racket” In PFIPC Budget Controversy

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal has said the PFIPC budget controversy points to possible institutional compromise inside the federal budgeting process.

Lawal questioned how a disputed agency could receive a budget code and pass through official channels if, as the Presidency has said, it had no legal existence.

He made the comments during an Arise Television interview, according to reports by Punch and Daily Post.

Lawal said the Budget Office, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the National Assembly all had roles that should have raised questions before the item reached the approved budget.

He argued that a non-existent agency should not be able to defend a budget or receive an allocation unless officials along the line allowed it to happen.

Lawal also criticised lawmakers for not scrutinising budget proposals line by line, saying public attention should move beyond the agency’s name to the people who enabled the allocation process.

The PFIPC issue has already drawn legal, political and accountability questions. NaijaTrend previously reported SERAP’s demand for answers from the National Assembly here.

Lawal’s intervention is separate from other PFIPC reactions because it focuses on how the budget code and allocation process could have survived government review.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post