Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has been arrested and released on bail by the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation linked to the disputed All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo West.
The Imo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, confirmed the arrest and subsequent release to Channels Television on Tuesday.
According to the police spokesperson, Okorocha was arrested in Abuja on Monday night and released on bail after about an hour of interrogation.
He was also asked to return to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday for further questioning as investigations continue.
The arrest reportedly followed his failure to honour previous police invitations concerning documents allegedly linked to the outcome of the APC senatorial primary in Imo West, also known as Orlu Zone.
Okorocha was initially invited to the Force Headquarters on September 2, but the appointment was rescheduled to September 8 following a request by his lawyers. He reportedly failed to appear on the rescheduled date.
A Senior Magistrate Court in Abuja was also reported to have issued bench warrants on September 9 against Okorocha, former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha.
The warrants reportedly authorised their arrest and production before the court in Jiwa, Abuja.
The investigation centres on allegations that documents were forged or falsely presented as authentic records showing that Okorocha won the APC primary for the Imo West senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly asked security agencies to investigate a document said to differ from the result officially submitted to the commission by the APC.
Okorocha’s media office had earlier denied reports that a valid arrest warrant had been issued against the former governor. His Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, challenged those reporting the warrant to produce documentary evidence.
Okorocha governed Imo State from 2011 to 2019 and later represented Imo West in the Senate.
As of Tuesday, the police had confirmed his arrest and release on bail, with further questioning expected as the investigation into the disputed primary documents continues. The allegations have not been established in court.
