Buhari’s aide, Obono-Obla dismissed from public assets recovery panel

Aide to President Muhammadu Buhari on prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has been sacked as the chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property.

His sack was contained in a statement the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, released on Sunday.

The letter entitled, “Re: Directive in respect of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, chiarman of the Special Investigation Panel on the recovery of public property”, was learnt to be a follow-up to an earlier letter from the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

He was said to have been involved in an action that runs contrary to the enabling act that established the recovery panel and therefore ordered to “henceforth desist from carrying out any operation in his capacity as head of the panel”.

In a sack letter dated November 1, with file number HAGF/SH/2017/VOL/1/60, and signed by the AGF, Obono-Obla was clearly warned to obey the order and ensure he hands-off from having any further dealings in the name of the panel..

He was further warned not to grant press interviews, or issue any press release on any official matter if he was not given clearance from the AGF.

“He is directed to promptly provide a detailed up-to-date report on the activities of the panel to the Minister (AGF) for onward transmission to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

The letter read, “I have received a letter Ref. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated 20thOctober, 2017 in respect of the above subject from the Office of the Vice President.

“In the said letter, the Vice President expressed his concerns on the activities of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property which runs contrary to the enabling Act establishing it. He also noted that the activities of the Panel run foul or contrary to established administrative procedures and protocols in the Federal Civil Service structure.

“In view of the foregoing coupled with the directives contained in the letter under reference, you are hereby directed to refrain from any further action or taking any step in your capacity as the chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property with immediate effect until directed otherwise by His Excellency, the Vice President.

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“While you are to await further instructions in respect of the Panel’s mandate, you are hereby directed to promptly provide a detailed up-to-date report on the activities of the panel to the undersigned for onward transmission to the Vice President.

“Furthermore, you are required to henceforth seek clearance from the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice before granting any media interview or making press releases on official matters.

“While appealing for immediate and strict compliance with the contents of this letter, please, accept the assurances of my warm regards and best wishes”.

 

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