Court Orders Arrest of Okorocha, Araraume, Others Over Alleged Criminal Conspiracy, Forgery

A Senior Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja has issued bench warrants for the arrest of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and two others over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and the use of false documents.

The other individuals named in the warrants are Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha.

According to reports published on October 9 and 10, 2026, the warrants authorise police officers across Nigeria to arrest the four individuals and produce them before Senior Magistrate Court 3 in Jiwa, Abuja.

Dispute Over APC Senatorial Primary

The case centres on disputed documents relating to the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo West Senatorial District, also known as Orlu Zone.

Okorocha allegedly circulated a document claiming that he won the party’s primary election held on May 18, 2026. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned the document, stating that the official result submitted to the commission by the APC identified Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as the winner.

INEC subsequently asked the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the disputed document.

Court Issues Bench Warrants

The warrants, dated September 9, 2026, relate to two cases, numbered CR/M/JW/084/2026 and CR/M/JW/085/2026, instituted in the name of the Inspector-General of Police.

The allegations include criminal conspiracy, forgery, perjury and the presentation or use of false documents, according to reports on the court proceedings.

The warrants direct the authorities to bring the named individuals before the court to answer the allegations.

INEC Maintains Uzodimma Won the Primary

In its communication to security agencies, INEC maintained that the result officially forwarded to its headquarters by the APC showed Uzodimma as the winner of the Imo West senatorial primary.

The commission said the disputed document presented a different outcome by identifying Okorocha as the winner and requested a thorough investigation into its circulation.

The dispute has added another layer of tension to the political contest surrounding the Imo West senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Allegations Yet to Be Proven

The issuance of an arrest warrant does not amount to a conviction. The allegations against Okorocha, Araraume and the two other individuals remain subject to judicial determination.

The case is expected to require the court to consider the disputed documents and the evidence presented by the prosecution before determining the defendants’ criminal liability.

The development underscores the importance of credible party primaries, accurate electoral documentation and compliance with the law in Nigeria’s political process.