Former Imo State Governor and Senator Rochas Okorocha was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force at the REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja on Monday night, October 12, 2026, over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation linked to a disputed All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary. The reported arrest follows a legal dispute over documents allegedly presenting Okorocha as the winner of the Imo West senatorial primary.
Key Highlights
- Rochas Okorocha was reportedly arrested at the REIZ Continental Hotel in Abuja on October 12.
- The reported arrest concerns allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
- Police reportedly obtained a bench warrant after Okorocha allegedly failed to honour invitations.
- The case is linked to disputed documents claiming he won the APC senatorial primary for Imo West.
- INEC reportedly asked the police and DSS to investigate a document it said contradicted the party’s submitted results.
- Okorocha’s media office had previously denied that a court issued a bench warrant against him.
- As of the latest reports, police had not publicly confirmed the arrest or provided details of the next steps.
Okorocha Reportedly Arrested at Abuja Hotel
Police operatives reportedly arrested the former governor at the REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja on Monday night.
The reports linked the arrest to an ongoing investigation into alleged criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. They also said the police had obtained a bench warrant after Okorocha allegedly failed to honour invitations to appear at Force Headquarters.
Okorocha was reportedly first invited on September 2, 2026. The appointment was subsequently rescheduled to September 8 at the request of his lawyers, but he allegedly failed to appear on the new date.
However, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued a public statement confirming the reported arrest or explaining what would happen next as of the latest available reports.
Dispute Over APC Imo West Senatorial Primary
The investigation is linked to a dispute over the APC senatorial primary for Imo West, also known as the Orlu Zone.
Earlier reports said a Senior Magistrate Court in Abuja issued bench warrants dated September 9, 2026, naming Okorocha, former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha.
The warrants reportedly authorised police officers nationwide to arrest the named individuals and produce them before Senior Magistrate Court 3 in Jiwa, Abuja.
The allegations concern claims that documents were forged or presented to suggest that Okorocha won the APC primary. The allegations have not, by themselves, established criminal liability against any of the individuals named.
INEC Questions Document Claiming Okorocha Won Primary
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also reportedly written to the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) over a document circulating as the result of the disputed primary.
According to reports, INEC said the document contradicted the results officially submitted by the APC and requested that the relevant security agencies investigate the matter.
The dispute has raised questions about the authenticity of the documents being circulated and the official outcome of the party’s selection process for the Imo West senatorial seat. Channels Television reported on October 9 that a court had ordered the arrest of Okorocha, Araraume and two others over allegations relating to the disputed results.
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Okorocha’s Media Office Previously Denied Arrest Warrant
Before the reported arrest, Okorocha’s media office disputed claims that a court had ordered his arrest.
His Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said in statements issued around October 10–12 that no Senior Magistrate Court or High Court had issued a bench warrant against the former governor.
Onwuemeodo also questioned the chronology of the reported court order, arguing that it was said to have been issued on September 9, while an INEC petition referenced in reports was dated October 8.
He challenged those circulating the report to produce the court order or retract their claims. His response was reported by Premium Times and other outlets.
The earlier denial contrasts with subsequent reports that Okorocha was arrested on Monday night. The police have yet to publicly clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest.
What Happens Next?
The next steps remain unclear pending an official statement from the police or further information from the court.
Any eventual court proceedings would determine how the allegations are handled, while the individuals named in the reports remain entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.
The case adds another development to the political and legal dispute surrounding the APC’s Imo West senatorial primary, with further clarification expected from the relevant authorities.
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