The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and subsequently released former Imo State Governor and Senator Rochas Okorocha after questioning him over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
The arrest took place on Monday night, October 12, at the REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja. Police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police Aniete Iniedu, confirmed the development.
Iniedu reportedly said Okorocha was released on bail after approximately one hour of interrogation and was asked to return to the Force Headquarters on Tuesday for further questioning as investigations continue.
The arrest follows reports that a Senior Magistrate Court sitting in Jiwa, Abuja, issued bench warrants on September 9, 2026, against Okorocha, former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha.
The warrants, reportedly issued in cases CR/M/JW/084/2026 and CR/M/JW/085/2026, concern allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and the presentation or use of false documents relating to the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Imo West.
According to Channels Television, the court authorised police officers nationwide to arrest the four individuals and bring them before the court to answer the allegations.
The police reportedly sought Okorocha’s appearance at Force Headquarters on September 2. The appointment was subsequently rescheduled to September 8 following a request by his lawyers, but he allegedly failed to attend on the revised date.
Dispute Over APC Primary Election Results
The investigation is linked to disputed documents purporting to show that Okorocha won the APC senatorial primary for Imo West, also known as Orlu Zone, held on May 18, 2026.
In a separate development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) asked the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the disputed documents.
In correspondence dated October 8, the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, reportedly described the document being circulated as fraudulent and said the commission’s official records showed Governor Hope Uzodimma as the winner of the party’s primary.
Before news of his arrest emerged, Okorocha, through his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, had dismissed reports that a court ordered his arrest.
He reportedly accused the Imo State Government of promoting misleading information and demanded that those circulating the claims produce the purported court order within 48 hours or retract their reports. He also threatened legal action.
The reporting of the bench warrants and the police’s confirmation of his arrest have added a new development to the dispute.