A group known as the Imo First Group has publicly denied reports of a court order for the arrest of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha. The group described the reports as fake news and a ruse. In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, the Imo First Group challenged those behind the report to make the court order public. The statement was issued in response to a report that had been circulating on social media.
According to the Imo First Group, the report of a court order was first posted on social media by Hon. Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, a media aide to Governor Hope Uzodimma. The report claimed that a Senior Magistrate Court in Abuja had issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Araraume and Okorocha over alleged criminal conspiracy and forgery. The group, however, stated that there was no such court order.
The Imo First Group pointed out several inconsistencies in the report, including the date of the bench warrant and the petition that supposedly triggered it. The report claimed that the bench warrant was dated September 9, 2026, while the petition was dated October 8, 2026. The group also noted that the case number provided was CR/M/084/2026.
The group further stated that those behind the report had attempted to trick the magistrate into granting an exparte order but were rebuked. The magistrate reportedly refused to grant the order and threatened to arrest them for their actions. Despite this, the group claimed that the purveyors of the fake news continued to spread the false information.
The Imo First Group expressed frustration with what they described as a campaign of dirty politics against decent Imo sons who have won elections. The group challenged anyone involved in spreading the fake news to produce the court order or warrant of arrest. They described the attempt to blackmail Araraume and Okorocha as preposterous.
The statement from the Imo First Group concluded with a call for those behind the fake news to be held accountable for their actions. The group emphasized that they would not allow reputable Imo sons to be destroyed by falsehoods and dirty politics. The incident highlights the challenges of fake news and the importance of verifying information before spreading it.
The Imo First Group's denial of the court order has significant implications for the ongoing political landscape in Imo State. The incident underscores the need for politicians and their supporters to engage in fair and respectful politics. It remains to be seen how this development will affect the relationships between the various political stakeholders in the state.
Key points
- The Imo First Group has denied reports of a court order for the arrest of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and former governor Rochas Okorocha.
- The group described the reports as fake news and a ruse.
- The incident highlights the challenges of fake news in Nigeria's political landscape.
