Former Imo State governor and senator, Rochas Okorocha, has reportedly been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election in Imo West.
According to reports by Daily Post The Sun the former governor was picked up at the REIZ Continental Hotel in Abuja on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Sources indicate the arrest follows a bench warrant issued by a court after Okorocha allegedly failed to honour police invitations for questioning. Before his reported arrest, Okorocha had dismissed earlier claims of a warrant, challenging his accusers to provide documentary evidence.
The controversy centres on a circulating document, purportedly issued in Okorocha’s name, claiming he won the APC senatorial primary for the Orlu (Imo West) Senatorial District. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disputed the document, recognizing Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the legitimate winner of the party’s primary.
Police investigators are examining allegations of forgery, impersonation, and criminal conspiracy surrounding the document. As of the time of this report, available accounts do not provide specific details of the evidence, nor is it clear whether Okorocha personally prepared, authorized, or circulated the disputed paper.
It also remains unclear whether the police have formally detailed the circumstances of the arrest, where Okorocha was taken, or if he has been formally charged in court. No detailed response from Okorocha or an official statement from the Nigeria Police Force addressing the specific allegations was available at the time of filing this report.
The allegations against Okorocha remain unproven, and any criminal liability must be determined through the appropriate legal process. The development highlights the intense political competition within the APC in Imo State, where disputes over candidate selection continue to cast a shadow over party politics.
