Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has denied reports that he was arrested and released on bail by the Nigeria Police Force, contradicting the police account of an incident linked to allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

The dispute followed reports that police operatives took Okorocha into custody at the REIZ Continental Hotel in Abuja on Monday night, October 12, 2026. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, reportedly confirmed the arrest to Channels Television, saying the former governor was released on bail after about an hour of questioning and directed to return to the Force Headquarters for further interrogation.

However, Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, rejected that account in a statement issued on behalf of the former governor. He insisted that Okorocha was neither arrested nor granted bail, challenging those responsible for the reports to substantiate their claims.

Onwuemeodo also disputed the status of a court order dated September 9, 2026, which the Imo State Government reportedly referenced in a statement concerning the former governor. He claimed that the same court vacated the order on September 14, arguing that it could not have remained valid in October. The claim has not been independently confirmed through the court’s records.

The media aide accused the Imo State Government, through its Commissioner for Information, Mbadwike Emelumba, of misleading the public about the legal proceedings. He also referred to petitions reportedly submitted by the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chukwuemeka Ibejiako, on October 8, while arguing that the petitions and the disputed court order should not be treated as the same matter.

The police investigation reportedly concerns allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. According to published accounts, investigators had previously invited Okorocha for questioning, with an earlier appointment reportedly rescheduled following a request from his legal team. The police have not publicly disclosed full details of the allegations, and the available reports do not establish that Okorocha has been charged with an offence in connection with the investigation.

Okorocha governed Imo State from 2011 to 2019 and represented Imo West Senatorial District from 2019 to 2023. As the dispute continues, the police account of the reported arrest remains at odds with the former governor’s denial, while the status of the September court order requires confirmation from the relevant judicial records.