ALLEGED FORGERY SCANDAL: Police Arrest Rochas Okorocha As Questions Mount Over Abuja Hotel Operation
By Passman Akpos
ABUJA, Nigeria — Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly arrested former Imo State Governor and ex-Senator Rochas Okorocha over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, Okorocha was taken into custody on Monday night, October 12, 2026, at the REIZ Continental Hotel in Abuja, following an alleged failure to honour repeated police invitations for questioning.
Security sources reportedly told SaharaReporters that the arrest followed efforts by police authorities to secure a bench warrant from a court to compel the former governor to appear before investigators.
The development comes amid an ongoing police investigation into allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. However, the specific details of the allegations against Okorocha were not provided in the report.
Police Allegedly Rescheduled Interrogation After Request From Legal Team
According to a security source cited by SaharaReporters, police investigators initially scheduled Okorocha to appear for questioning on September 2, 2026.
However, following a request from his legal team, the appointment was reportedly rescheduled to September 8, 2026.
The source alleged that the former governor failed to appear on the rescheduled date, despite the additional time granted to him.
His alleged failure to honour the invitation reportedly prompted investigators to pursue a judicial order authorising his arrest.
The security source said the police subsequently tracked down Okorocha and arrested him at the Abuja hotel on Monday night.
Former Governor Remains In Police Custody
As of the time SaharaReporters filed its report, Okorocha was said to remain in police custody while investigations continued.
It was not immediately clear whether he had been formally charged before a court or when he would be arraigned.
Efforts to obtain comments from the former governor’s media office were reportedly unsuccessful.
The police had yet to publicly provide further details of the allegations in the report.
Allegations Yet To Be Tested In Court
Okorocha, who served as governor of Imo State from 2011 to 2019, later represented Imo West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
The allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation remain allegations and have not been established as facts by a court in the information provided.
His arrest does not, in itself, establish guilt, and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence under the law.
Further details about the alleged offences, the identities of any other persons connected to the investigation and the next steps in the legal process remain unclear.
Tarakirivoice will continue to follow developments in the case as further information becomes available.
