John Ameh, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday dissolved the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property chaired by Mr Okoi Obono-Obla.
The duties of the SPIP were transferred to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, to continue with “all outstanding investigations and other activities of the SPIP”.
The dissolution was contained in a statement from the Presidency.
It said, “The panel was established in August 2017 by then-Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to investigate specifically mandated cases of corruption, abuse of office and similar offences by public officers.”
The statement added, “The President looks forward to receiving the final Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission’s report of the ongoing investigation of the dissolved panel’s chairman.”
Obono-Obla was suspended by the President in August over allegations bordering on abuse of office and corruption.
The Ministry of Justice in a statement in August, gave reasons for Obono-Obla’s suspension.
It said, “Following the crisis arising from the 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 SPIP, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, and President Muhammadu Buhari has directed his immediate suspension from office.
“The suspension follows the receipt and consideration of the interim investigative report of the ICPC on the matter.
“The President has also directed that the ICPC to conclude its investigation and proceed to prosecute Chief Okoi Obono-Obla.”
