Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has reportedly been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
The former governor was reportedly taken into custody on Monday night, October 12, 2026, at the REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja, following an investigation into disputed documents relating to the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election in Imo State.
The development comes days after a Senior Magistrate Court in Abuja reportedly issued a bench warrant for Okorocha and three other individuals: former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha.
The individuals were accused of allegedly conspiring to forge documents and circulate false claims that Rochas Okorocha had won the APC senatorial primary for Imo West Senatorial District, also known as Orlu Zone.
Reports indicate that police action followed Okorocha’s alleged failure to honour invitations to appear for questioning. He was initially asked to report to the Force Headquarters on September 2, 2026, before the appointment was reportedly moved to September 8 at the request of his lawyers.
He allegedly failed to attend on the rescheduled date, prompting further steps by the police in connection with the investigation.
Dispute Over APC Senatorial Primary
The case is linked to a disagreement over the outcome of the APC senatorial primary for Imo West. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly maintained that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma emerged as the winner of the party’s primary and its candidate for the district.
INEC also reportedly called on the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate a document allegedly circulated in Okorocha’s name claiming that he had won the primary.
The commission maintained that the results officially submitted by the APC identified Uzodimma as the successful candidate.
Okorocha had previously dismissed reports that a court ordered his arrest, describing the claims as false and challenging those circulating them to produce the alleged warrant.
The latest reported development adds another dimension to the political dispute surrounding the APC senatorial contest in Imo State. The allegations remain subject to the relevant legal process.
