The lawmaker representing Yakurr I State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Cyril Omini, has confirmed that the arrest of former presidential aide Okoi Obono-Obla followed a petition he filed with the Nigeria Police Force over alleged defamation and malicious accusations.
The Cross River State Police Command had earlier announced Obono-Obla’s arrest.
In a statement issued to journalists in Calabar, Omini said his petition was prompted by what he described as sustained defamation of character and the fabrication of serious criminal allegations against him, including claims linking him to cultism and murder.
The lawmaker alleged that on August 7, 2025, Obono-Obla and others accompanied police officers to his residence in Ugep around 3 a.m., alleging that he was harbouring cultists and kidnappers. He said the operation led to the arrest and detention of his security guard, Mr. Ebri Edet Ubi, also known as Edet Omenka, who was subsequently taken to Calabar.
Omini further claimed that some of his property was damaged during the search.
According to him, the situation escalated on October 6, 2025, when Obono-Obla publicly accused him of sponsoring cult-related activities and linked him to an individual’s death allegations he described as grave and damaging to his reputation.
Omini acknowledged that criticism is inherent in public service but stressed that there is a clear distinction between political disagreement and what he termed deliberate fabrication of criminal claims.
He said he initially refrained from reporting the matter out of personal respect for Obono-Obla, whom he described as a mentor and father figure.
However, he explained that the continued spread of the allegations across communities and social media platforms compelled him to seek legal redress.
The lawmaker maintained that he merely exercised his constitutional right to petition the police and did not order or influence Obono-Obla’s arrest, insisting that due process was followed.
He also dismissed reports suggesting the case involved certificate forgery or unlawful entry, clarifying that his petition strictly addressed alleged defamation and malicious fabrication of criminal accusations.
Reaffirming his willingness to submit to any investigation, Omini said he has nothing to hide and remains confident that due process will reveal the truth.
He urged constituents in Yakurr I to disregard rumours and conflicting narratives, pledging to remain focused on his legislative responsibilities as police investigations continue.
