Former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha denied reports that an Abuja court ordered his arrest over alleged fake election results.
Former Governor of Imo State and former Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has openly denied trending online reports claiming that a magistrate court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, issued an official bench warrant for his arrest.
The veteran politician broke his silence on Sunday, October 11, 2026, through an official public statement his senior media assistant, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, released to newsmen.
He urged members of the public and his supporters across the country to ignore the viral rumor, calling it a total lie fabricated by his political enemies.
The controversy started after several online blogs and social media pages shared reports alleging that a senior magistrate court in Abuja issued an arrest order on September 9, 2026, against Rochas Okorocha, former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, and two other persons.
The fake news claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, known as INEC, wrote a petition to the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service over alleged fake election result sheets produced during past All Progressives Congress primary elections in Imo State.
Clearing the air on the viral arrest rumor, Rochas Okorocha explained through his official media office that no judge or magistrate anywhere in Nigeria ever issued such an arrest warrant against him.
Reassuring members of the public and asking everyone to disregard the false stories circulating online, Rochas Okorocha stated: “We ask the general public to disregard the court order story. There was nothing like that. No such incident.”
Challenging those spreading the fake story to produce official evidence or produce the actual court papers signed by a real magistrate, the former governor challenged his political opponents to step forward with facts.
Throwing an open challenge to his detractors to prove their claims before the public, Okorocha added: “Now that we have openly made this appeal, the burden now is on those behind the trending story of a court order for the arrest of Okorocha to unveil the court order or bench warrant. Let them make it public.”
Calling on the online platforms that shared the false story without proper checking to do the right thing, Okorocha stated: “And the needful is to retract the story, and tender an apology. That’s the most civilised thing to do.”
Point by point, Okorocha’s media office exposed major errors in the fake report to show how it was concocted by political enemies.
The former governor pointed out that while the viral report claimed the court issued an arrest warrant on September 9, 2026, the alleged petition from INEC was surprisingly dated October 8, 2026.
This meant that the fake news writer claimed a court gave an arrest order a whole month before the police even received any petition.
Exposing the huge mistake made by those who fabricated the rumor, Okorocha declared: “In other words, the court order came before the petitions, and before the filing of the case. This is what you get when people decide to deceive, or to chase shadow.”
Warning politicians and party members against creating unnecessary trouble and political fighting as the country prepares for future elections, the politician advised everyone to focus on peace.
Giving a piece of advice to political players and supporters of the current administration, Okorocha stated: “they should desire peace, pursue peace and ensure peace.”
The former governor has already filed a legal suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against INEC, Governor Hope Uzodimma, and the APC over ongoing party leadership and election disputes in Imo State.
Supporters of the former governor have welcomed his clear statement, urging the public to stop spreading unverified rumors.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
