The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said it has released former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on administrative bail after interrogating him for about one hour over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery, and impersonation.
 
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, who confirmed his release yesterday, explained that the former Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District was released on bail following brief questioning on Monday night but was directed to return to the Force Headquarters in Abuja yesterday for further interrogation as investigations into the alleged crimes continue.
 
Police operatives reportedly arrested the former governor on Monday night, October 12, 2026, at the REIZ Continental Hotel in the Central Business District of Abuja. The arrest was executed after Okorocha allegedly failed to honour voluntary invitations extended to him on several occasions by police authorities in connection with ongoing criminal investigations.
 
According to police sources, Okorocha was initially invited on September 2, 2026. However, the meeting was rescheduled to September 8, 2026, at the instance of his legal team.
 
The former governor subsequently failed to show up on the agreed date, prompting law enforcement officers to track him down at the Abuja hotel and enforce a court-ordered arrest.

Meanwhile, Okorocha has denied reports of his alleged arrest and release on bail, stressing that some elements who have taken advantage of the judicial process in the past were making frantic efforts to pit him against the Police authorities.
 
Okorocha, who represented Imo West Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly, said he was at a loss as to why the shady characters are parading a warrant of arrest Order by a Chief Magistrate Court, dated September 9, 2026.
 
In a statement made available to The Guardian, through his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former governor asserted that the same Chief Magistrate Court had vacated the warrant of Arrest Order on September 14, 2026, just five days after making the arrest order.
   
“If the court order, dated September 9, 2026, empowering the Police to effect arrest, was vacated on September 14, 2026, on what ground would Okorocha again be arrested based on an order that had been vacated?
 
“The bone of contention is the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for Imo West Senatorial District. Okorocha was a contestant. He went to court to claim that he won the primary. And the matter has been going on, with all the parties being part of the proceedings.”
 
The former governor contended that the issues being raised anew were part of the claim and counterclaims by the parties in the matter, adding that the court has fixed judgment for October 29, 2026.
 
Wondering why all this stampede and lies, Okorocha said that no matter the provocation, he would not be compelled to join issues with the Nigerian Police, stressing that he respects established institutions and their personnel, including the Police.
 
He stated: “We hold them in high esteem. So, we won’t join issues with the Police. The story of Okorocha being arrested last night, and released on bail after one hour, is totally untrue. Okorocha was never, never arrested.”