President Muhammadu Buhari terminated the appointment of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, his Senior Special Assistant and Chairman, Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP).
Some police officers who were reportedly acting on ‘order from above’ sealed off Obono-Obla’s Abuja office on Sunday.
The office located in Asokoro, was sealed Friday afternoon by some armed police officers, specially deployed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
A police source said the action followed a directive from the presidency that Mr Obono-Obla should be relieved of his appointment “immediately”.
The source said Mr Obono-Obla is aware of the communication relieving him of his appointment but that he has been dodging it so he could use the holiday period to persuade people close to Mr President to talk the government into rescinding its decision.
“They have asked ICPC to start investigating corruption allegations around him”, he said.
“The police were brought in to restrict movement in the office, so nobody would tamper with evidence while investigation is going on.
“The panel is still in place, it’s only Obla that has been removed,” the source added.
“They have built a case of corruption and overzealousness against him over time, it’s not an emergency action, so it may be difficult for the decision to be rescinded.”
Mr. Obono-Obla when contacted, confirmed that his office had been sealed but, however, declined comment on whether he had received any sack letter.