The Imo First Group (IFG) has dismissed reports claiming that a magistrate court issued an arrest warrant against Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, over alleged criminal conspiracy and forgery.
The group described the reports as fake news and challenged those circulating the claims to publish the purported court order for public verification.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, IFG insisted that no senior magistrate had ordered the arrest of Araraume, disputing claims that a bench warrant had been issued against the two politicians.
“We want to state categorically and unequivocally that no Senior Magistrate ordered or issued any bench warrant for the arrest of Araraume,” the statement said.
The group urged those claiming that the warrant existed to make the document available to the public to establish its authenticity.
“If you claim to have a court order, present same for the public to see,” it stated.
IFG also questioned the chronology of events surrounding the alleged warrant, citing what it described as inconsistencies in the dates associated with the purported court order and the petition said to have prompted the court’s action.
According to the group, the alleged warrant was dated September 9, 2026, while the petition reportedly submitted by the Resident Electoral Commissioner was dated October 8, 2026.
The report also referenced case number CR/M/084/2026.
IFG argued that the dates raised questions about the credibility of the claims, given that the petition reportedly postdated the alleged warrant.
The group further alleged that individuals behind the report had attempted to obtain an ex parte order from the magistrate but were unsuccessful.
“The magistrate bluntly refused to grant their ex parte and threatened to arrest them, yet they carried their falsehood about,” the statement alleged.
The group accused those circulating the claims of attempting to damage the reputations of Araraume and Okorocha for political reasons.
It questioned the motives of those allegedly targeting the two politicians, describing the controversy as an attempt to settle political scores.
“What’s the problem of occupants of office that never won free and fair elections and tried to destroy reputable Imo sons that have won elections?” the statement queried.
IFG maintained that the alleged arrest warrant was being used to advance political interests and reiterated its demand that those making the claims produce the purported court document.
“We challenge anyone in this macabre surugede dance to show the court order or warrant of arrest. It’s preposterous to blackmail decent Imo sons on the altar of dirty politics,” the statement added.
The allegations surrounding the purported arrest warrant were not independently verified in the group’s statement, and no copy of the alleged court order was provided in the account.
