The Cross River State Police Command has arrested Okoi Obono-Obla, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and one-time chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property, over allegations of forgery and obtaining entry into the legal profession by false pretence.
In a statement issued on Thursday, February 20, 2026, Police Public Relations Officer ASP Sunday Eitokpah confirmed that Obono-Obla was lawfully arrested by operatives around midday on February 19, 2026, along Abuja Park in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area.
The arrest followed a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police alleging offences bordering on forgery, as well as fraudulent acquisition of admission, professional qualifications, and entry into the legal profession by false pretence.
Police dismissed earlier social media reports claiming Obono-Obla had been kidnapped by unknown gunmen, describing such claims as misleading and unfounded.
He has been taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar for ongoing investigations.
Obono-Obla, a lawyer by profession, has faced similar accusations in the past. In 2021, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned him on charges related to alleged falsification and forgery of school results, including presenting a fake GCE credit pass in English Literature for university admission.
The latest development has sparked reactions, with the Nigerian Bar Association reportedly beginning its own probe into the matter.
Authorities have not released further details on the specific documents allegedly forged or the petition's origin, but the case revives long-standing questions about certificate authenticity in high-profile public service roles. Obono-Obla remains in custody as investigations continue.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com