Okoi Obono-Obla, the former Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel (SPIP) for the Recovery of Public Property, has alleged that assets recovered under former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration were returned to the original looters. This disclosure was made during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on the Mic On Podcast on Saturday.
According to a report by Daily Post, Obono-Obla, who served as a presidential aide and led SPIP, painted a grim picture of the pervasive corruption within Nigeria's political system. He recounted numerous instances where his efforts to bring corrupt individuals to justice were thwarted by high-ranking officials, including the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
“Some of the things I recovered were returned to the looters,” Obono-Obla stated. He elaborated on a particular case involving the recovery of over 80 brand new X-class Mercedes Benz cars (armoured plated) from an individual in Jabi, Abuja. Despite obtaining an order of interim forfeiture from the court and verifying that no customs duties or taxes had been paid on the vehicles, his efforts were undermined.
“I wrote to the DG, Customs and the Federal Inland Revenue Services to ask if the person paid customs duties and tax on the vehicles; they said No,” he explained. The situation took a turn when Obono-Obla sought to brief Malami on the ongoing investigation. “I sent a memo to Malami to brief him on what we were doing, only for him to tell me that he never mandated me to do things I investigated,” he recounted.
SPIP was established as an independent investigative panel by former President Buhari, with the mandate to recover Nigeria’s looted assets. The panel was expected to operate with autonomy and impartiality, aiming to restore public confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling corruption. However, Obono-Obla’s revelations suggest a different reality.
The former aide's comments underline the systemic challenges and resistance faced by anti-corruption bodies in Nigeria. His account of recovered loot being returned to the looters indicates a notable setback in the fight against corruption and raises questions about the effectiveness of the measures put in place during Buhari’s tenure.
Obono-Obla's disclosures are likely to reignite debates about the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption initiatives. Critics of the Buhari administration have often pointed to instances of selective justice and internal sabotage, arguing that genuine efforts to combat corruption are frequently compromised by those within the system.
The reaction to Obono-Obla's interview has been swift and varied. Anti-corruption advocates have expressed dismay and called for a thorough investigation into his claims. Many are demanding greater transparency and accountability from government officials involved in the handling of recovered assets.
The implications of these allegations are profound, not only for the credibility of the previous administration but also for the current government's anti-corruption agenda. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who succeeded Buhari, has pledged to continue the fight against corruption, but Obono-Obla’s revelations suggest that deep-rooted issues must be addressed to achieve meaningful progress.
Public trust in anti-corruption efforts hinges on the perceived integrity and effectiveness of these initiatives. Obono-Obla’s account highlights the need for robust oversight mechanisms and a commitment to insulating anti-corruption bodies from political interference.
There are calls for a re-evaluation of Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategies. Analysts suggest that for any anti-corruption campaign to be successful, it must be backed by strong political will and supported by a legal framework that ensures accountability at all levels of government.