Group faults Obono-Obla for involving Osinbajo in his ordeal

By Peter Oladele

A group, identified as the Initiative To Save Democracy (ISD) has faulted the former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla for accusing the vice president of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo of being the architect of his fortune.

Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla

The Initiative to Save Democracy in a statement issued by its Press Secretary Peter Oladele stated that it was dishonourable for a public servant to make such allegations against the Vice president.

The statement read:

“Okoi Obono-Obla has serious allegations facing him which are not matters that he expects Nigerians to wish away.

Is it not shameful that upon the raising of these serious allegations, Mr Obla has blamed everyone else for his travails but himself? And then goes ambitiously for the Vice President, accusing him of being the architect of his fortune. This is puerile.”

“Obono-Obla has been accused of blackmailing those he was asked to investigate by threatening and extorting them.

He was also accused of using the panel as a vendetta against his so-called enemies. These are serious allegations that speak to the breach of public trust by a public official. They are to be answered in fact and not by chasing shadows and imaginary enemies.

The group further claims that “there are also allegations that he had gone ultra vires.

Obono-Obla acted in areas that were not within his mandate. He broke the rules of his engagement in the most blatant and offensive ways. The former Chairman had assumed prosecutorial powers that were not conferred on him by any laws or any official declaration.

He had begun to assume the role of the EFCC and ICPC and began taking matters to court, meanwhile, his task was strictly an investigative one. Even when he was called to order by the Vice President, cautioning him that he was exceeding his bounds, he still went ahead to continue in breach of the caution.

“Piles of petitions were received against the excesses of the former Chairman accusing him of unprofessional conduct. He was in fact accused of going to mark a person’s house in preparation for seizure and reallocation. This is nothing short of dishonour and abuse of power and office.”

“Now he accuses the Vice President of being the orchestrator of his perils? This is nonsensical” the group said.

“Mr Obla should take the high road, come out of hiding and face the dividends of his misconduct Oshiomhole

The group stated that public officials must learn to act responsibly while in public office as they would be made to account for their deeds once they are out.