OWERRE: Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has been arrested and released on bail after being questioned by the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Okorocha, a former senator representing Imo West, was reportedly arrested on Monday night at the REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja.

The police later released him on bail after approximately one hour of interrogation, according to Aniete Iniedu, the Force spokesperson, who confirmed the development to Channels Television.

Iniedu said the former governor had been directed to return to the Force Headquarters on Tuesday for further questioning as investigations into the allegations continued.

According to the police spokesperson, the arrest followed allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

The police action came after Okorocha reportedly failed to honour earlier invitations concerning the matter.

He was initially invited to the Force Headquarters on September 2, but the appointment was rescheduled to September 8 following a request from his lawyers. He reportedly failed to appear on the rescheduled date.

The investigation centres on a disputed document relating to the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo West, which has generated controversy over who emerged as the party’s candidate.

Okorocha had sought the APC ticket for Imo West ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma won the party’s senatorial primary held on May 18 and was subsequently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The controversy intensified after another document emerged claiming that Okorocha had won the same primary with 150,780 votes.

That figure sharply contradicted the initial results, which indicated that Uzodimma scored 230,464 votes while Okorocha received 1,098 votes.

The emergence of the alternative document raised questions about its origin and authenticity, prompting calls for an investigation by the relevant authorities.

In October, INEC’s Imo State office petitioned the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police Force over the disputed document.

In letters dated October 5 and October 8, a lawyer identified in the report as Mr Ibeziako described the document naming Okorocha as the winner as fictitious.

INEC maintained that the authentic report of the May 18 primary identified Uzodimma as the winner and that the APC had submitted his name to the electoral commission as its candidate.

The commission reportedly attached copies of the official primary report and the disputed document to its petitions, asking security agencies to investigate the source and authenticity of the material.

The allegations remain subject to investigation, and the police have not established Okorocha’s guilt in the information provided.

The former governor had also approached the Federal High Court in Abuja in August, filing a suit against INEC, Uzodimma and the APC.

Okorocha asked the court to determine whether the electoral commission was bound by reports submitted by its officials who monitored the May 18 primary and whether INEC was right to recognise Uzodimma as the winner.

He also raised a constitutional question concerning Uzodimma’s eligibility to contest the 2027 senatorial election while still serving as governor of Imo State.

Uzodimma’s second term is expected to end in January 2028, while the next Senate is scheduled to be inaugurated in June 2027.

Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution provides that a state governor cannot hold another executive office or paid employment while in office. The report also stated that Uzodimma had reportedly made plans to resign before the end of his tenure if he wins the senatorial election.

The legal questions raised by Okorocha are separate from the police investigation into the disputed document.

The former governor had earlier challenged reports circulating online that a senior magistrate court in Abuja issued a bench warrant against him, former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and two other individuals on September 9.

Okorocha reportedly denied the claim and challenged those spreading the information to make the alleged warrant public.

His latest arrest and release on bail mark another development in the controversy surrounding the disputed APC senatorial primary.

The police are expected to continue their investigation, with Okorocha directed to return for further interrogation. The outcome could have implications for the ongoing dispute over the Imo West senatorial candidacy ahead of the 2027 elections.

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