The Nigeria Police Force in Cross River State has arrested a former presidential aide, Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla, over allegations linked to forgery and fraudulent entry into the legal profession.
In a statement issued by the state police spokesperson, Eitokpah Sunday, the command said Obono-Obla was “lawfully arrested” on Thursday at Abuja Park in Ugep, Cross River State.
According to the police, the action followed a petition submitted to the state commissioner of police accusing him of “forgery and obtaining admission or professional qualification/entry into the legal profession by false pretence”.
The command rejected reports suggesting that the former presidential adviser had been abducted by unknown security agents.
“The arrest was effected in accordance with extant laws and in the exercise of the constitutional and statutory powers of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate allegations of criminal conduct,” the statement reads.
“Following his arrest, he was conveyed to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar, where investigation is currently ongoing.
“His legal counsel has been duly notified and is fully participating in the process. His relatives are also aware of his current location.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Command categorically states that allegations of kidnapping or involvement of unidentified security outfits are false, unfounded, and entirely without factual basis.”
In 2016, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Obono-Obla as Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
He later served as chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP).
However, in August 2019, Buhari suspended him from the position following an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged record falsification and financial misconduct.
By October 2019, the ICPC had declared him wanted for “repeated failure to appear before it to answer questions bordering on allegations of fraud and corruption”.
He was eventually arrested in Abuja in March 2020.
The anti-corruption agency subsequently re-arraigned him in March 2021 over an alleged N10.1 million fraud. In October 2021, he was again brought before the court on charges relating to alleged falsification and forgery of academic credentials.
The ICPC had accused him of falsifying O’Level results to secure admission to study law during the 1985/86 academic session at the University of Jos (UNIJOS).
