President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla from office.
According to a statement put out by Mr. James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Public Affairs at the Federal Ministry of Justice on Thursday, the president’s action to suspend Obono-Obla, arose from a barrage of petitions that came from members of the public, accusing the embattled SPIP Chair of grand corruption.
The statement further predicate Buhari’s action on the receipt and consideration of an interim investigative report of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Commission (ICPC).
Meanwhile, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, has been directed to immediately take over the affairs of the SPIP.
The statement reads in part: “Following the crisis arising from series of petitions from legal practitioners, concerned public spirited citizens and public officers, alleging abuse of office, intimidation, unauthorized 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 (SPIP), 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 (ICPC) on the matter.
“The President has also directed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) should conclude its investigations and proceed to prosecute Chief Okoi Obono-Obla.”
