‘I Sought The Truth, Not An Arrest’- Cross River Lawmaker Breaks Silence On Obono-Obla’s Detention

By Kelvin Ololo

The lawmaker representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Cyril Omini, has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding the arrest of former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, insisting that his petition to the Nigeria Police Force was motivated by a demand for truth and not a call for arrest.

In a detailed statement released amid what he described as widespread misinformation, Omini said he was compelled to speak directly to the public following intense reactions trailing Obono-Obla’s detention.

According to him, the matter is deeply personal, given the longstanding relationship he shared with the former aide, whom he described as an elder, mentor and father figure.

Omini recounted that tensions escalated on August 7, 2025, when Obono-Obla allegedly led police officers to his residence in Ugep at about 3 AM, accusing him of harboring cultists and kidnappers. He claimed that the operation resulted in forced entry into his home, the arrest and detention of his security guard, Mr. Ebri Edet Ubi, who was taken to Calabar, and the destruction of property.

The lawmaker further alleged that on October 6, 2025, Obono-Obla publicly accused him of sponsoring cult-related activities and being responsible for the death of an individual. He described the allegations as “grave criminal” accusations that go beyond political criticism and strike at the core of his integrity and humanity.

While acknowledging that public office naturally attracts scrutiny, Omini maintained that there is a clear distinction between legitimate criticism and what he termed malicious fabrication of criminal allegations. He stated that he initially refrained from reporting the matter to law enforcement out of respect for their personal relationship and in the hope that the accusations would be withdrawn.

However, he said the claims continued to circulate across communities and social media, creating tension and damaging his reputation. According to him, silence in such circumstances would have been interpreted as an admission of guilt, leaving him with no choice but to petition the police to investigate the allegations.

“The arrest of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla was not my doing,” Omini stated, emphasizing that it was the outcome of standard police procedures following a formal complaint. He stressed that he neither possesses the authority to direct police operations nor sought to influence their actions, adding that his involvement ended with the submission of the petition.

Clarifying the scope of his complaint, the lawmaker dismissed suggestions that the petition was centered solely on allegations of certificate forgery or obtaining legal entry by false pretenses.

He maintained that the core issue was defamation of character and the alleged malicious fabrication of criminal accusations, particularly claims linking him to murder and cult activities.

Omini declared his readiness to face any investigation, asserting that he has nothing to hide. He challenged the allegations against him and called for transparency, stating that if he were guilty, the law should take its course, but if innocent, the truth should be allowed to prevail.

Addressing his constituents in Yakurr 1, the lawmaker appealed for fairness and restraint amid swirling rumors. He expressed confidence in his innocence and reaffirmed his commitment to his legislative responsibilities and the development of the constituency.

Despite the ongoing dispute, Omini said he harbors no hatred toward Obono-Obla but would not allow what he described as false accusations of murder to define his name or legacy. He concluded by thanking his family, colleagues and supporters, expressing hope that the truth would ultimately prevail.