Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has denied reports that he was arrested by the police and released on bail, insisting that a magistrate court had earlier vacated the warrant reportedly used to justify the alleged arrest.
Okorocha, who represented Imo West Senatorial District in the ninth National Assembly, said the reports were false and accused unnamed individuals of attempting to create friction between him and the police.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former governor said a Chief Magistrate Court issued the arrest warrant on September 9, 2026, but vacated it five days later, on September 14.
He questioned the basis for any arrest linked to an order that had already been set aside.
“If the court order, dated September 9, 2026, empowering the police to effect arrest, was vacated on September 14, 2026, on what ground again would Okorocha be arrested based on an order that had been vacated?” he asked.
The controversy is linked to the All Progressives Congress primary for Imo West Senatorial District, which Okorocha contested. He had approached the court, claiming he won the primary, and the dispute remains before the court.
According to the statement, judgment in the case has been fixed for October 29, 2026.
Okorocha said the latest claims were part of the parties’ competing allegations in the dispute and warned against actions that could interfere with the judicial process.
He also rejected reports that he was arrested and released on bail within an hour, asking those behind the claims to provide evidence.
“The story of Okorocha being arrested last night, and released on bail after one hour, is totally untrue. Okorocha was never, never arrested,” the statement said.
It added: “Who signed for his bail? Did he make any statement? Who took his statement? No arrest, no bail; no statement.”
The former governor said he would not be drawn into a public dispute with the police, stressing that he respected the institution and its personnel.
“We hold them in high esteem. So, we won't join issues with the Police,” he said.
Okorocha challenged anyone with contrary evidence to make it public, describing the social media reports as unfounded.
He further urged parties and other interested persons to avoid statements or actions that could be considered prejudicial to a matter pending before a competent court.
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