Fidelia Okafor.

According to Daily Post, the president has begun the search for a new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). This is following the indictment placed on the current SGF, Mr. Babachir David Lawal by the Nigerian Senate after being accused of corruption in the awarding of contracts at the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE).

An ad-hoc committee organized by the Senate has estimated that Lawal has been in a N2.5 billion fraud at PINE. It also promised to reveal evidence against Lawal.

This has led to the Senate calling for the suspension of Lawal and investigation into him as well. According to the presidency, a few days back, it said the investigation was ongoing.

According to sources, Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh is been looked at to replace Lawal as SGF. Ogbeh was initially one of those pencilled down for the job but powerful forces urged the president to settle for Lawal.

Ogbeh was considered just after APC won the presidential elections and also he worked hard to help the president win. He was a former deputy speaker and former minister; both elective and appointment based positions.

Also, the president has asked the DSS to carry out the profiling of some other seasoned public officers who have worked in the Federal service.

Asked on how soon the president may announce a new SGF, it was said that Lawal would definitely retain his position till 2017 but the issue would be dealt with once and for in a matter of weeks.