"OBONO-OBLA AXED"

In a determined effort to gag its aides and reduce the cacophony of voices emerging from the Presidency, the federal government has suspended Okoi Obono-Obla, chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, from further carrying out any official operation until further notice.

A statement by Salihu Isah, Special Adviser to the Attorney- General of the Federation on Media and Publicity, has revealed.



Quoting a November 1, 2017, letter by the AGF addressed to Obono- Obla, the statement said the panel chairman, who is also the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, had also been directed by the Minister of Justice and AGF, Abubakar Malami, to seek and obtain the Minister’s clearance before granting any further press interview or issuing any official statement.

In his capacity as a Presidential Assistant, Obono-Obla works directly under the AGF, and was said to have been informed of his suspension and other developments in a letter dated November 1, 2017, personally signed by Malami.

“I have received a letter Ref. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated October 20, 2017 in respect of the above subject from the oOffice 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 roperty which runs
contrary to the enabling Act establishing it", the AGF's read.

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 concluded.