FG suspends Obla as property recovery panel chairman
The Federal Government has suspended the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla over alleged misconduct.
In the letter with number: HAGF/SH/2017/VOL/1/60 dated November 1, 2017 signed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Obla was accused of actions which “run contrary to the enabling Act.”
Obla was also directed to henceforth seek clearance from the AGF before any media interview or press releases, according to a statement by the AGF’s spokesman Othman Salihu Isah.
Malami’s letter, which is said to emanate from an earlier letter by the vice president with Reference number: SH/ OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated 20th October, 2017, is titled ‘Re: Directive in respect of Chief Okoi Obono Obla, chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property’.
“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.
“While appealing for immediate and strict compliance with the contents of this letter, please, accept the assurances of my warm regards and best wishes,” the letter reads.