Critics argue that for a government that sees the fight against corruption as a priority, Lai Mohammed would have at least been cleared of the allegations levelled against him before his renomination. Mohammed, who is among the 13 ministers reappointed by the president, has been asked by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explain his role in the alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion federal government’s digital switch-over (DSO) programme.
ICPC had filed a 12-count charge against Ishiaq Kawu, director-general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), over an alleged abuse of office and money laundering. The former minister was questioned after the ICPC said its investigators discovered that a government white paper that governs the execution of the DSO programme was flouted by the head of NBC. Mohammed was said to have admitted that he was misled by Kawu, as stated in court by Osanato Olugbemi, an ICPC witness. Given that the alleged infractions were committed during Mohammed’s first term as minister, his reappointment has set tongues wagging.
