Obono-Obla was reportedly detained on Wednesday around 12:00 noon along Abuja Park, Ugep. The arrest caused tension in the area as social media circulated unverified reports that he had been abducted.

Cross River State Police have confirmed the arrest of former presidential aide, Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla, in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, dismissing claims that he was kidnapped.

Obono-Obla was reportedly detained on Wednesday around 12:00 noon along Abuja Park, Ugep. The arrest caused tension in the area as social media circulated unverified reports that he had been abducted.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata, described the kidnapping claims as misleading and lacking any factual basis.

The police said the arrest followed a petition to the Commissioner of Police alleging offences related to forgery and obtaining admission or professional qualification in the legal profession by false pretence.

The Command added that the action was taken in line with existing laws and under the constitutional powers of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate alleged criminal conduct.

Obono-Obla was taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar, where investigations are ongoing. The police confirmed that his legal counsel and relatives have been notified and are involved in the process.

The Command insisted that reports of kidnapping or involvement of unidentified security agencies were false.

Meanwhile, the Calabar branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), through its chairman Enome Amatey, said the association was aware of the arrest but had not received official confirmation of the agency responsible. Amatey described the situation as concerning and urged that Obono-Obla’s rights be respected, stressing that he should be allowed to defend himself with proper legal representation.

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