Buhari’s Former Aide, Obono-Obla Dares ICPC To Publish Probe Findings

The suspended Chair-man of the Special Presidential
Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP),
Okoi Obono-Obla, on Saturday challenged the Independent Corrupt
Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to make
public the result of its investigation of him for alleged corrupt
practices.

Obono-Obla, who was recently declared wanted by the ICPC,
reminded the agency that it has exceeded the September 2019
deadline given it by President Muhammadu Buhari to submit its
findings.

He spoke in an interview with The Nation not Nairalaw
where he vowed not to respond to the agency’s invitation, arguing
that a competent investigative agency can conduct a perfect
investigation in the absence of the subject of such
investigation.

Obono-Obla regretted the manner he was treated by the Buhari-led
administration and the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress
(APC).

He described as untrue the allegation that he was parading a
questionable academic credential.

Obono-Obla said: “I challenge the ICPC to tell Nigerians what
they have against me. The burden is on ICPC, not me. I can say,
without fear of contradiction, that I am a clean man.

“President Buhari, in the press release disbanding the panel
(SPIP), directed ICPC to submit its report on its investigation on
me to him since September. Why has the ICPC not submitted the
report?

“The ICPC should submit the report. I don’t need to appear
before it before the ICPC can investigate me. What has the ICPC
been doing for the past three months?

“Yes, I feel really let down and betrayed. I wanted to make the
difference in the fight against corruption. I gave my all, but
unfortunately, I was betrayed. I really feel horrible.

“This government is not fair to me. I acquitted myself
creditably and successfully in this exercise. Today, I have been
abandoned by the same party that we worked tirelessly to build. I
am being victimized and derided, because as always, I agreed to
undertake a difficult and dangerous yeoman’s job as a loyal party
man.

“I was not earning salary, but allowances, which was not
regularly paid. The successes we recorded were down to the
sacrifice and dedication of majority of Nigerians, who were happy
with the work we were doing, dangerous as it was.

“In order for rational thinking Nigerians to begin to understand
my pain, frustration and bewilderment at the unjust and ignominious
treatment I am being subjected to, for simply doing a job I was
given to do with utmost diligence and integrity, let me state here
some of my sacrificial contributions to the putting together of
this system, over which I am being vilified by people, who have
been after my downfall since the President appointed me to serve
the country.