A staff of the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) testifying as a prosecution witness in the trial of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal yesterday said the company linked to the ex-SGF was not paid for its consultancy work.
The former SGF was arraigned on a 10-count charge bothering on conspiracy and fraud to the tune of N544m along with Hamidu David Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar, Apeh John Monday and two companies, Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd.
At the hearing yesterday, the witness, Hamza Adamu, told the court that Rholavision, the company linked with the ex-SGF, “was not paid because there was no approval by the ministerial tender board of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Therefore, they were not paid.”
He said, “The first project was in March, 2016 while the second phase was in September, 2016. After the first project, the communities requested for more projects. Another project was awarded in September, 2016, which is the second phase for additional 250km for clearing of grass, irrigation, motorised boats and irrigation gate for the sum of N258m.
“Josmon Technologies Limited was given the second phase. As the case with the first project, Rholavision was also appointed as consultant for the second project,” the witness told the court.
Justice Jude Okeke, has adjourned the matter to September 18 and 24.
