Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of orchestrating attempts to arrest him over alleged forgery, claiming that a recent Federal High Court judgment has vindicated him.
Okorocha made the allegations while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, where he narrated how several attempts were allegedly made to obtain a warrant for his arrest.
According to the former governor, the police, acting on a complaint allegedly filed by Uzodimma, approached a magistrate court to secure a warrant for his arrest, but the application was rejected.
He claimed that similar applications were presented before seven other magistrates, who also declined to issue the warrant.
“The police went to a magistrate court on the complaint of Governor Hope Uzodimma to get a warrant of arrest, while also telling the police to invite me. The magistrate refused, and Hope went to seven other magistrates, and they all refused,” Okorocha alleged.
He further claimed that a warrant was eventually obtained from a magistrate court near the Kogi State border but was subsequently vacated by the magistrate who issued it.
Despite the alleged withdrawal of the order, Okorocha said security operatives attempted to arrest him during an event in Abuja.
He disclosed that he personally contacted the Inspector-General of Police, explained the circumstances surrounding the warrant and secured the cancellation of the operation.
“I had to call the IGP and explain my position, and he agreed with me and called off the operation,” he stated.
The former governor also accused unnamed individuals of sponsoring media reports claiming that he had been arrested for forgery even before security operatives arrived at the venue.
He explained that he deliberately remained silent despite the widespread reports because he wanted the court to determine the authenticity of the disputed election documents.
Speaking on the Federal High Court judgment, Okorocha maintained that the court had established that his election documents were genuine.
“Thank God, the court has spoken loud and clear that my election documents were genuine and not forged,” he declared.
Okorocha further alleged that the election results presented by Governor Uzodimma were questionable, claiming that the documents appeared to have been written by one person.
He described the alleged irregularity as the actual forgery that should attract attention.
The former governor insisted that the court’s decision had justified his decision to remain silent throughout the controversy.
