Hon. Cyril James Omini, the member representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, has issued a detailed public statement addressing the recent arrest of Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, a former presidential aide and lawyer. Omini described the situation as profoundly painful, stemming from what he termed malicious criminal accusations leveled against him by a man he once regarded as a father figure.
In the statement, released amid ongoing discussions and media coverage of Obono-Obla’s detention, Hon. Cyril James Omini clarified his long-standing personal relationship with the chief. He portrayed Obono-Obla as an elder, mentor, and father figure whose counsel he had sought and respected over the years.
The lawmaker recounted two key incidents that prompted his petition to the Nigeria Police Force. On August 7, 2025, Obono-Obla allegedly led police officers to Hon. Cyril James Omini’s residence in Ugep around 3 a.m. for a search operation, claiming the home harbored cultists and kidnappers. The raid involved forced entry, property damage, and the arrest of Omini’s security guard, Mr. Ebri Edet Ubi (also known as Edet Omenka), who was detained in Calabar.
Tensions escalated further on October 6, 2025, when Obono-Obla publicly accused Omini of sponsoring cult activities directly linked to an individual’s death. Omini emphasized that these were not routine political criticisms but serious criminal allegations damaging his character, integrity, and family name.
Despite the personal nature of the betrayal, Hon. Cyril James Omini said he initially refrained from police action in hopes of a retraction. “For reasons that will be understandable to every father and every son, I did not rush to the police. I withheld my hand. I hoped for reason to prevail,” he stated. As the claims proliferated on social media and in communities, he felt compelled to seek an official investigation to clear his name.
Omini stressed that his petition centered on defamation of character and the fabrication of criminal allegations, including accusations of murder and cult sponsorship—not solely on certificate forgery or related claims as some reports suggested. He reiterated that he did not request Obono-Obla’s arrest, which occurred on February 19, 2026, in Ugep following standard police procedures in response to the formal complaint.
“I have neither the power nor the desire to dictate the operations of our law enforcement agencies,” Hon. Cyril James Omini wrote. “My role began and ended with the submission of my petition and my willingness to subject myself to investigation.”
He expressed full readiness for scrutiny: “If I am guilty of the crimes he accused me of, let the law take its course. But if I am innocent—and I am—then I ask only that the truth be allowed to prevail.”
Appealing directly to constituents in Yakurr 1, Hon. Cyril James Omini posed pointed questions to affirm his transparency: Would someone guilty of murder voluntarily invite police investigation? Would a cult sponsor demand openness? He affirmed his clear conscience and ongoing presence in the community.
Hon. Cyril James Omini acknowledged the deep emotional wound from the betrayal by someone he viewed as a father but maintained no hatred, wishing Obono-Obla well while refusing to let falsehoods define him. He thanked supporters and reaffirmed his dedication to Yakurr 1’s development.
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The arrest has drawn attention, with police confirming it, while dismissing unrelated abduction claims.
