It’s Official Now: Buhari Suspends Okoi Obono-Obla, Orders Him To Submit Self To ICPC

President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended the Chairman of the
Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Mr
Okoi Obono-Obla.

President @MBuhari^[1] has directed the
suspension from office, with immediate effect, of the Chairman of
the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public
Property, Mr Okoi Obono-Obla. (1/2)

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) August
14, 2019^[2]

The suspension shall be in effect until the
conclusion of ongoing @ICPC_PE^[3] investigations into a
number of cases relating to Mr. Obono-Obla. (2/2)

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) August
14, 2019^[4]

Recall that Chief Obla had recently alleged that some highly
placed people in the government had been plotting to remove him as
Chairman of the Assets Recovery Panel because of his refusal to
drop investigation of corrupt practices against them.

Obla specifically alleged that the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office
of the Vice President had in January, written him to stop all
investigations his panel was handling, as the government was going
to embark on reform of the panel.

He also claimed that some interest groups in the government had
pressurized his panel to drop investigations bordering on
corruption issues that involve some members of the ruling
party.

However, a Presidency Wednesday said that Obla may face criminal
prosecution on matters related to his alleged financial dealings,
as uncovered by the ICPC upon investigation.

Besides, he may face prosecution with regard to his academic
credentials, specifically the WAEC Certificate issue.

According to the Presidency, “Government may ask the University
of Jos to withdraw his law degree and the Nigerian Law School to
debar him from practice.

” This is owing to the conclusion of the ICPC investigation, the
recommendations of which were approved in full by President
Buhari.”

Mr Obono-Obla’s suspension letter was signed by the Secretary to
the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha

The letter by Mr Mustapha indicated that while Mr Obono-Obla
remained on suspension, the Solicitor General of the Federation,
Dayo Apata, would take charge of the panel on recovery of public
property. Other members of the panel will, however, remain in
office.

The SGF office has since sent messages to Mr Obono-Obla to come
and pick up his suspension letter.

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