By Abiola Olawale
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest of Okoi Obono-Obla, a former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP).
It was gathered that the arrest took place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Ugep, Cross River State, following a fresh petition regarding alleged certificate forgery and the fraudulent acquisition of professional qualifications.
According to a statement released by the Cross River State Police Command, Obono-Obla was taken into custody near Abuja Park in Ugep. The spokesperson for the command, Eitokpah Sunday, clarified that the move was a “lawful arrest” aimed at investigating a petition that accused the former presidential aide of gaining entry into the legal profession under pretenses.
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.”
The New Diplomat reports that 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 an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged falsification of records and financial impropriety.
In October 2019, ICPC annouced that Obona-Obla had been declared 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 the 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 at the University of Jos (UNIJOS).
