Obasanjo Era: Obono-Obla Claims Many Deserve Jail Time

Okoi Obono-Obla, the former Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property under President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, has stated that some individuals who served under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration should face prison sentences.

Obono-Obla, a seasoned lawyer, admitted that it would be wrong to reach such conclusions purely based on claims, since guilt must be proven in a competent court of law.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo claimed that many of Nigeria’s current public officials should be imprisoned.

According to him, leaders lack the skills required to properly lead the nation, implying that they would be better off incarcerated or worse.

In response to the former President’s statement, Obono-Obla stated, “So many people in Obasanjo’s eight-year government should have been in jail. However, as a lawyer, I cannot adhere to such flawed arguments, no matter how appealing they sound.

According to Vanguard, the human rights advocate highlighted that suspicion does not imply guilt, citing this as a key legal concept.

Having stated that, I believe it is speculation or rumor-mongering to claim such, and hence a person should be jailed.

“Has the complaint against such a person been investigated? Was a prima facie case built against the individual?

“Was he convicted before a court of competent jurisdiction?” Obono-Obla asked rhetorically.