By Abasi Ita
The lawmaker representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Cyril James Omini, has said that the arrest of former presidential aide, Okoi Obono-Obla, followed a petition he submitted to the Nigeria Police Force and was not politically motivated.
Omini, in a press statement, explained that his petition was based on alleged defamation of character and malicious fabrication of criminal accusations against him, particularly claims linking him to cultism and murder.
He recalled that on August 7, 2025, Obla and others allegedly led officers of the Nigeria Police Force to his residence in Ugep at about 3 a.m. to conduct a search over allegations that he was harbouring cultists and kidnappers. The operation, he said, resulted in the arrest and detention of his security guard, Mr Ebri Edet Ubi, also known as Edet Omenka, who was taken to Calabar. He added that some of his property was damaged during the exercise.
The lawmaker further alleged that on October 6, 2025, Obla publicly accused him of sponsoring cult related activities and linked him to the death of an individual. He described the allegations as grave criminal claims that severely tarnished his reputation.
Omini noted that while he accepts criticism as part of public service, there is a clear distinction between political disagreement and what he termed the deliberate fabrication of criminal allegations.
He stated that he initially refrained from approaching law enforcement authorities out of personal respect for Obla, whom he described as a mentor and father figure. However, he said the continued circulation of the allegations across communities and social media platforms compelled him to seek redress.
According to him, he merely exercised his constitutional right to petition the police to investigate the claims and did not order or influence Obla’s arrest, which he said was carried out in line with due process.
He dismissed reports suggesting that the matter centered on certificate forgery or obtaining legal entry under false pretences, insisting that the core of his petition was defamation and malicious fabrication of criminal allegations.
Reaffirming his readiness to submit to any investigation, Omini said he has nothing to hide and remains confident that due process will establish the truth.
He urged residents of Yakurr 1 State Constituency to disregard rumours and conflicting narratives, pledging to remain focused on his legislative duties while the police investigation continues.