Obla reinstated as Chair of Recovery of Public Property panel but to act under Osinbajo’s shadow

Efio-Ita Nyok|14 November 2017 

In a report which appeared originally on Vanguard, Obono-Obla’s restoration to his post, followed last week’s meeting between him and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo a day after he was suspended by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

A top Presidential officer confirmed last night that Buhari’s intervention and restoration of Obono-Obla to his post followed the explanations by Osinbajo after getting briefings from the presidential aide. 

However, Obono-Obla is to strictly act on cases referred to him by the Presidency, AGF the source further noted; particularly,  Obono-Obla would, henceforth, operate under the auspices of the Vice President, who would supervise the work of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property. Other conditions, which Obono-Obla must adhere strictly with, include: 

*taking directives from the Presidency or the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, 

*working strictly on directives or cases referred to him by the Presidency or the AGF and not embarking on ‘expansionist’ search for materials to use under the guise of recovery of public property. 

'For Obono-Obla to operate effectively, he must bear in mind that he cannot go outside the scope of what is given to him either by the Presidency or the AGF and must abide by recovery issues referred to him by the two offices,' the source explained. 

Asked whether he was sacked or suspended in the first place and what the offence was, the Presidency official, said: 'I can confirm to you that Obono-Obla has not been sacked. The only thing that must be made clear to him is that he should not assume to be operating on his own but to subject himself to the directives of the AGF of the Presidency on whatever recovery he wants to embark on.' 

Recalled that when Malami suspended Obono-Obla from his post a week ago, he had accused him of running the presidential panel contrary to the Act establishing it. It should also be emphasised that the particular reason for suspending Obono-Obla wasn't talked about. 

So, Obono-Obla can't act on his own, he must necessarily be supervised especially by the bring-back-Maina of an AGF. He can't address the press without clearance neither can he act out of his volition. OK ooooo!