The Federal Government has sacked Chief Okoi Obono-Obla as Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property.
In a statement on Sunday, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami attributed the removal of Obono-Obla who is also a presidential aide on prosecution to actions of the panel which he said are contrary to the enabling act establishing it.
However, the specific actions which led to the sack were not mentioned in the statement in which Obno-Obla was also directed to stop granting media interviews without obtaining permission.
Obla was also directed to promptly provide a detailed up-to-date report on the activities of the panel to the Minister for onward transmission to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Malami’s letter titled, ‘RE: Directive In Respect of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Chiarman of the Special Investigation Panel on the recovery of public property’, was a follow-up to a previous letter from the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on the panel’s activities.
According to the statement, Malami’s letter to Obono-Obla 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.
“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,” the letter partly reads.