Rochas Okorocha Reportedly Arrested in Abuja Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation

Former Imo governor had denied reports of an arrest warrant, accused state government of spreading fake news

By Henryrich Ojo | Newsworld

Former Imo State Governor and ex-Senator Rochas Okorocha was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday night at REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. According to a report by The Sun, the arrest followed an ongoing police investigation and the former governor’s alleged failure to honour previous invitations from the Force Headquarters.

Oyo APC Faults Makinde Over Abduction Of Three CRIN Workers

Reports indicated that Okorocha was initially invited on September 2, 2026, but the appointment was rescheduled to September 8 at the request of his lawyers. He was alleged to have failed to attend on the rescheduled date, prompting proceedings that reportedly resulted in a bench warrant for his arrest.

The reported arrest is linked to allegations involving disputed documents connected with an All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election. Earlier reports cited bench warrants dated September 9, 2026, allegedly issued by Senior Magistrate Court 3 in Jiwa, Abuja, in cases numbered CR/M/JW/084/2026 and CR/M/JW/085/2026. The proceedings reportedly named Okorocha, former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha, with the Inspector-General of Police listed as the prosecuting authority.

According to the reports, the warrants authorised police officers to apprehend the individuals and bring them before the court. The allegations remain accusations and would have to be determined through due legal process.

However, Okorocha had earlier denied claims that a court order existed for his arrest, describing the reports as false and misleading. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former governor accused the Imo State Government of promoting what he called fake news.

He also alleged that Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, a media aide to Governor Hope Uzodimma, was among the first to circulate the story. Okorocha threatened legal action unless those responsible produced the purported court order within 48 hours or retracted the report. The circumstances of the reported arrest, the status of the alleged warrants and any official police response were not established in the material available for this report.