A lawmaker in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Cyril Omini, has clarified that his petition against former presidential adviser Okoi Obono-Obla was not limited to allegations of certificate forgery.
Omini, who represents Yakurr 1 state constituency, said his complaint to the police was primarily about defamation and what he described as the “malicious fabrication of criminal allegations” against him.
His clarification followed the arrest of Obono-Obla by the Cross River State Police Command in Ugep on Thursday. Police said the former aide was arrested over allegations of forgery and obtaining entry into the legal profession by false pretence.
The command dismissed claims that he was abducted by unidentified security operatives, insisting the arrest was lawful.
Reacting on Saturday, Omini said misinformation had trailed the arrest. He maintained that he did not push for Obono-Obla’s detention but rather asked for a formal investigation after repeated public accusations.
According to him, Obono-Obla had accused him of sponsoring cult activities and being responsible for a person’s death, allegations he described as “grave criminal accusations” that struck at his integrity.
The lawmaker alleged that on August 7, 2025, Obono-Obla led police officers to his residence in Ugep around 3am, claiming he was harbouring cultists and kidnappers. The operation reportedly led to the arrest of his security guard and damage to property.
Omini further alleged that in October 2025, Obono-Obla publicly linked him to cult-related violence and a death.
“These are not mere insults,” Omini said. “They are grave criminal accusations.”
He added that he initially refrained from reporting the matter, hoping for a retraction, but decided to act when the allegations persisted and spread across communities and social media.
“The arrest of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla was not my doing. It was the outcome of standard police procedure following a formal complaint,” he said.
Obono-Obla’s Legal History
Obono-Obla previously served under former President Muhammadu Buhari as Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution and later chaired the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property.
In 2019, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) investigated him over alleged falsification of records and financial impropriety. He was later declared wanted and subsequently rearraigned on multiple fraud and forgery charges, including alleged falsification of O’Level results to study law at the University of Jos.
Omini said he remains ready to face any investigation into the claims against him.
“If I am guilty, let the law take its course. But if I am innocent and I am, then I ask only that the truth be allowed to prevail.”
