RismadarVoice Reporters
October 10, 2026
Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has denied reports that a magistrate court issued a bench warrant for his arrest over alleged forgery, challenging those behind the claim to produce the court order within 48 hours.
Okorocha described the report as false in a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo.
The former governor questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged warrant, particularly the reported dates of the petition, investigation and court proceedings.
According to the statement, the report claimed that a bench warrant was issued on October 9, 2026, following a petition dated October 8.
Okorocha argued that the reported sequence of events raised questions about whether the necessary investigative and judicial procedures could have been completed within such a short period.
He maintained that no magistrate court or High Court had issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The former governor consequently challenged those responsible for circulating the report to publish the alleged warrant, identify the magistrate who issued it and provide the relevant court details.
Okorocha also addressed claims involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Ibejiako.
He disputed suggestions that INEC had directly accused him of forgery or requested his arrest.
According to his statement, the petition reportedly concerned a document circulating publicly that presented him as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Imo West Senatorial District.
He maintained that a request for security agencies to investigate the authenticity of such a document did not, by itself, establish wrongdoing on his part.
Okorocha further alleged that the publication contained inconsistencies concerning the dates of the petition and purported judicial proceedings.
He urged members of the public to disregard the report unless those making the allegation produced verifiable court documents.
The former governor also called for restraint among political stakeholders, saying the APC needed peace and unity rather than controversies arising from unsubstantiated allegations.
As of the time of the statement, no copy of the alleged bench warrant was presented in the material made available, and the existence of the purported order had not been independently established.
The allegations and Okorocha’s denial remain competing claims pending verification from the relevant court or authorities.
