The Federal Ministry of Justice has confirmed the suspension of the chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla.
The deputy director of public affairs in the ministry, Mr. James Odaudu said in a statement on Thursday the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) had submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari, an interim report of investigation on various allegations leveled against Obono-Obla.
He listed some of allegations leveled against the ex-presidential aide to include of office, intimidation, unauthorised malicious investigation, financial impropriety, administrative misconduct and forgery/falsification of records.
Consequently, he said Buhari ordered Obono-Obla’s suspension due to the crisis that followed various petitions in which the various allegations were leveled against the presidential aide.
The statement reads: “Following the crisis arising from a series of petitions from legal practitioners, concerned public spirited citizens and public officers, alleging abuse of office, intimidation, unauthorised malicious investigation, financial impropriety, administrative misconduct and forgery/falsification of records by the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed his immediate suspension from office.
“The suspension follows the receipt and consideration of the interim investigative report of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on the matter.
“The President has also directed that the ICPC should conclude its investigations and proceed to prosecute Chief Okoi Obono-Obla.
“Meanwhile, the solicitor-general of the federation and permanent secretary, federal ministry of justice, Dayo Apata, Esq. has been directed to immediately take over the affairs of the Special Investigative Panel, SPIP.”
