The Federal Government has suspended Mr Okoi Obono-Obla, the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property from carrying out any official operations until further notice.

Mr Salihu Isah, Special Adviser to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, made the disclosure in a statement released on Sunday.

The statement which quoted a November 1, 2017 letter by the AGF and addressed to Obono-Obla said the panel chairman, who is also the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution had also been directed to seek and obtain the AGF’s clearance before granting any further press interviews or issuing official statements.

Obono-Obla, who in his capacity as a presidential assistant works directly under the AGF was said to have been informed of his suspension and other developments in a memo with reference number HAGF/SH/2017/VOL/1/60 personally signed by the minister  Abubakar Malami after concerns were raised by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the activities of the panel.

The letter from the AGF read: “I have received a letter Ref. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated October 20, 2017 in respect of the above subject from the office of the Vice-President.

“In the said letter, the Vice-President expressed his concerns on the activities of the special investigation panel on the recovery of public property which runs contrary to the enabling Act establishing it.

“He also noted that the activities of the panel run foul or contrary to established administrative procedures and protocols in the Federal Civil Service.

“In view of the foregoing coupled with the directives contained in the letter under reference, you are herby directed to refrain from any further action or taking any step in your capacity as the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the recovery of public property with immediate effect until directed otherwise by his Excellency, the Vice-President.

“While you await further instructions in respect of the Panel’s mandate, you are hereby directed 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.

“Furthermore, you are 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.

“While appealing for immediate and strict compliance with the contents of this letter, please accept the assurances of my warm regards and best wishes.”

The Cross River State-born Obono-Obla who was appointed as the chairman of the panel in April, 2016 came under fire last month when he said that the fugitive former Pension Reforms Task Force Chairman, Abdulrasheed Maina had not been found culpable of any wrongdoing after his reinstatement into the civil service despite being declared wanted by the EFCC for financial impropriety.