Ex-Minister Hassan Lawal Attacked By Journalists in Nasarawa

By Rabiu Doma; Nasarawa

Dr. Hassan Lawal, one of the think-tank of the present Government of Nasarawa state and the embattled ex-minister of the federal Republic wasyesterday lambasted by journalist for his nonchalant attitude.

The ex minister for works and Housing who is present having a running battle with the nation’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission [EFCC] over a missing N27billion from the coffers of the ministry of works and Housing when he held sway as Federal Ministry.

Dr. Hassan Lawal is charged accused by the anti-graft agency over high degree of massive fraud committed during his reign over several ministries; other charges included abuse of Government laid down policy on due process and award of contracts to unregistered construction firms.

The rumpus and/or attack ensured when Hassan Lawal addressed the conglomeration of journalist as press boys at the ongoing peace summit held at the executive session of the Government House yesterday, after the address of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the estranged minister and chieftain of the ruling party in the state insisted that all press boys should leave.

“We can’t continue the sessions in the presence of some young boys in our midst, most of those young boys are those leaking information to Ombatse militant”. The position of the former minister and one of the beneficiaries of the ruling People’s Democratic Party disrupted the peace summit – causing the venue to turn rowdy.

In spite of the timely intervention of erstwhile minister for Labour and Productivity, Hussaini Zanuwa Akwanga, the situation could have worsened – as the conglomeration of journalist including foreign and domestic pen pushers rained abuses on the embattled minister for being cantankerous and authoritative in dealing with journalists assembled there.

It is recalled that the longest serving minister is presently standing trial for diversion of funds meant for road projects, money laundering, unlawful acquisition of wealth. The ex minister was arrested over an allegation of N72bn.