Abuja, Nigeria – Former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Okoi Obono-Obla, has disclosed a high-profile case involving the recovery of substantial funds and gold bars from a minister in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The revelation came during an interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye.
Major General Adam Yusuf’s Whistleblowing
Obono-Obla revealed that the case was brought to SPIP by Major General Adam Yusuf (Retd.), who assisted in recovering $2 billion and gold bars from the residence of the former minister. According to Obono-Obla, the whistleblower had an agreement with a senior government official, identified as the late Abba Kyari, for a commission on the recovered assets. Abba Kyari, who was the Chief of Staff to then-President Muhammadu Buhari, died on April 17, 2020, from COVID-19.
Discrepancies in Declared Assets
“However, after the recovery operation, the money and most of the gold bars were not declared to the government,” Obono-Obla stated. “Only 350 million gold bars out of 850 million were reported.” This discrepancy led to an investigation under Obono-Obla’s leadership, conducted by an assistant commissioner of police, who interviewed several individuals, including Shuma Zerebe from Anambra State.
Investigation Findings
“The testimonies indicated that substantial amounts were indeed recovered,” Obono-Obla confirmed. “The operation was reportedly carried out by the Department of State Services (DSS). However, the custody of the recovered assets remains unclear.” Obono-Obla expressed concerns over discrepancies between the reported recovery figures and the actual sums and assets retrieved.
Allegations of Under-Declaration and Political Constraints
“We conducted a thorough investigation and found significant irregularities,” Obono-Obla continued. “There appears to have been a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the amount recovered to the government.” When asked if further action was pursued against individuals involved, including Abba Kyari, Obono-Obla hinted at political constraints that prevented taking any direct action against high-ranking officials.
“This case points to a complex web of corruption and cover-up,” Obono-Obla concluded. “However, the intricacies involved make it challenging to pursue without risking political repercussions.” The allegations raised by Obono-Obla shed light on potential malfeasance in the highest echelons of government during the Jonathan administration, raising significant questions about transparency and accountability in asset recovery operations.
Obono-Obla’s Suspension and Controversies
In August 2019, Okoi Obono-Obla, former Chairman of Nigeria’s SPIP, was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations of falsification of records and financial impropriety. The suspension, conveyed through a letter from the then-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, directed Obono-Obla’s immediate removal pending investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The controversy stemmed from accusations that Obono-Obla gained admission to the University of Jos with a forged WAEC certificate and subsequently falsified records while in office. Additionally, his tenure at SPIP was marked by accusations of abuse of office, unauthorized investigations, and overstepping his mandate. Critics, including members of SPIP, accused him of conducting over 50 investigations outside the panel’s scope for personal gain.
Defending Against Accusations
Obono-Obla defended himself, claiming persecution for exposing corruption among powerful lawmakers. However, critics argue that his actions undermined the anti-corruption mandate of SPIP and raised questions about the sincerity of Buhari’s administration in tackling corruption within its ranks.
Obono-Obla’s revelations and the ensuing controversies highlight the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s fight against corruption, particularly within the highest levels of government. The case underscores the need for robust mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in the recovery and management of public assets.