The suspended Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Okoi Obono-Obla, has approached the court to stop his probe by ICPC. the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
Obono-Obla was suspended on August 14 over allegations of “records falsification” and “extortion”.
Announcing his suspension, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said he would be investigated and prosecuted by the ICPC.
It was, however, learnt that Obono-Obla had filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the probe on Tuesday, with ICPC as the sole respondent.
READ ALSO: Poor tax revenue: Fowler replies Presidency, blames recession, oil price
Herald Nigeria also learnt that Obono-Obla refused to appear before the ICPC earlier on Monday due to his plan to challenge the summons by the anti-corruption agency.
A lawyer, Mr. Oluwatosin Ojaomo, who served as a prosecutor under him at the SPIP, confirmed the development, noting that “The suit essential seeks to restrain the ICPC from arresting or summoning him.
“He contends in the suit that the ICPC had already judged him and convicted him before inviting him for interrogation.”