Former Secretary to the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE), Umar Bulani, has told a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that the companies reportedly linked to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, completed the N544 million contract.

PINE, not the SGF’s office, the witness said, awarded the contract for the removal of evasive grass from rivers in Yobe State.

Bulani, in his testimony, told Justice Charles Agbaza that PINE, which he served when the contract was awarded, was proud of the projects awarded to Josmon Technologies Limited as main contractor and Rholavision Engineering Limited as a consultant because of their impact on communities.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sued Lawal for the notorious N544 million grasscutting contract scandal.

Justice Agbaza fixed November 10, 2021, for further hearing on the matter.