President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended further activities by
the Special Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property.
In a November 1 memo, Attorney-General Abubakar Malami said the
presidency had placed a gag order on Okoi Obono-Obla, the
president’s special assistant on prosecution who also serves as the
chairman of the recovery panel.
In the memo, reference number: HAGF/SH/2017/VOL/1/60, Mr. Malami
said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had observed that the activities
of the panel run counter to its term of reference.
Mr. Obono-Obla could not be reached for comments Sunday
afternoon. His phone was switched off when our reporter tried to
reach him.
The directive came on the heels of controversial statements
credited to him.
Mr. Obono-Obla, a native of Cross River State who was appointed
in April 2016, drew criticism when he said last month that
Abdulrasheed Maina had not been found culpable in any wrongdoing,
in what seemed like a tacit defence of the fugitive who had been on
the wanted list of EFCC for years.
In the memo, the presidency said Mr. Obono-Obla is now “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.
It also said Mr. Osinbajo expressed concerns that the activities
of the panel contravened established administrative procedures and
protocols in the civil service structure. The vice president called
for immediate and strict compliance with the directives.
Mr. Obono-Obla was asked 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.”
He was asked to cease further activities and await instruction
from the presidency on the future of the panel.
President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended further activities by
the Special Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public
Property.
In a November 1 memo, Attorney-General Abubakar Malami said the
presidency had placed a gag order on Okoi Obono-Obla, the
president’s special assistant on prosecution who also serves as the
chairman of the recovery panel.
In the memo, reference number: HAGF/SH/2017/VOL/1/60, Mr. Malami
said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had observed that the activities
of the panel run counter to its term of reference.
Mr. Obono-Obla could not be reached for comments Sunday
afternoon. His phone was switched off when our reporter tried to
reach him.
The directive came on the heels of controversial statements
credited to him.
Mr. Obono-Obla, a native of Cross River State who was appointed
in April 2016, drew criticism when he said last month that
Abdulrasheed Maina had not been found culpable in any wrongdoing,
in what seemed like a tacit defence of the fugitive who had been on
the wanted list of EFCC for years.
In the memo, the presidency said Mr. Obono-Obla is now “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.
It also said Mr. Osinbajo expressed concerns that the activities
of the panel contravened established administrative procedures and
protocols in the civil service structure. The vice president called
for immediate and strict compliance with the directives.
Mr. Obono-Obla was asked 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.”
He was asked to cease further activities and await instruction
from the presidency on the future of the panel.