Police confirm arrest of ex-presidential aide Obono-Obla, dismiss kidnapping claims

The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of former presidential aide Okoi Obono-Obla, dismissing widespread social media claims that he was kidnapped by unknown persons in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the command revealed that Obono-Obla was lawfully arrested on February 19, 2026, at about 12:00 noon along Abuja Park, Ugep.

“The Command states unequivocally that Mr Obono-Obla was lawfully arrested by police operatives pursuant to a petition alleging offences bordering on forgery and obtaining admission or professional qualification/entry into the legal profession by false pretence,” the statement read.

According to the police, the arrest was carried out in line with extant laws and in the exercise of the constitutional and statutory powers of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate allegations of criminal conduct.

Following his arrest, Obono-Obla was taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar, where investigations are ongoing.

The command categorically dismissed social media reports alleging kidnapping, stating that “allegations of kidnapping or involvement of unidentified security outfits are false, unfounded and entirely without factual basis”.

The police added that Obono-Obla’s legal counsel has been duly notified and is participating in the process, and that his relatives are aware of his location.

Obono-Obla served as a Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari and later as Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) before he was suspended in August 2019 following allegations of certificate forgery and corruption.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed concern over the arrest and pledged to ensure due process is followed. The Chairman of the NBA Calabar Branch emphasized that the association would ensure Obono-Obla is not detained beyond the constitutionally permitted period without proper legal justification.

Obono-Obla has long denied allegations of certificate forgery and was previously arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in 2021 over similar allegations.