Police arrest ex-presidential aide Obono-Obla over alleged certificate forgery

 

The police command in Cross River says its operatives have arrested Okoi Obono-Obla, a former presidential adviser, over allegations of forgery and obtaining entry into the legal profession by false pretence.

In a statement, Eitokpah Sunday, Cross River police spokesperson, said Obono-Obla was “lawfully arrested” on Thursday around Abuja Park, Ugep town, in Cross River state.

Sunday said the arrest was sequel to a petition submitted to the state commissioner of police over allegations bordering on “forgery and obtaining admission or professional qualification/entry into the legal profession by false pretence”.

The police spokesperson dismissed claims that the ex-presidential adviser was kidnapped by unidentified security operatives.

“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, then-President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Obono-Obla as the special assistant to the president (prosecution), federal ministry of justice. He also served as chairman of the special presidential investigation panel for the recovery of public property (SPIP).

In August 2019, Buhari suspended Obono-Obla as chairman of the panel following investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged falsification of records and financial impropriety.

In October 2019, ICPC declared him wanted over “repeated failure to appear before it to answer questions bordering on allegations of fraud and corruption”.

In March 2020, the former presidential aide was arrested by ICPC in Abuja.

In March 2021, ICPC rearraigned Obono-Obla over alleged N10.1 million fraud.

In October 2021, ICPC again rearraigned him over charges bordering on alleged falsification and forgery of school results.

ICPC had accused him of forging O’Level results to study law in the 1985/86 academic session in the University of Jos (UNIJOS).