Group reacts to alleged death sentence on ex-Abia governor over N5 trillion fraud

By Chidi Opara

The South East Good Governance Advocates (SEGGA) has described a social media report that an Abia High Court has sentenced former governor Okezie Ikpeazu to death for embezzling over N5 trillion as false and malicious.

The embezzled fund was purportedly meant for airport and light rail projects, according to the report

But SEGGA, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mark Onukwuwe and Anozie Madu, its coordinator and secretary urged those behind recent social media reports to focus on promoting good governance in Abia instead of peddling rumours.

The group also faulted the names associated with the alleged judgment.

“For the sake of clarity, it is pertinent to note that there is no judicial officer by the name Emeka Nwogu serving in the Abia State judiciary.

“This raises significant doubts about the authenticity of the alleged Court Judgment.

“Furthermore, Nigerian jurisprudence does not classify corruption offenses as capital crimes warranting the death penalty.

“This purported claim appears to be an egregious fabrication, likely propagated in social media seeking to besmirch the reputation of the esteemed Abia State Judiciary,” it said.

The group said the report was not only entirely fabricated but also a blatant attempt to distract the public from what it described as failures of the current administration.

“The people of Abia deserve transparency and accountability, not diversionary tactics,” they said.

According to Onukwuwe, a simple arithmetic calculation reveals the absurdity of the claims against Ikpeazu.

“If Abia State were to attract N4 billion monthly, that would amount to N48 billion annually, and N480 billion over 10 years.

“Where is the evidence to support the claim of N5 trillion embezzlement?

“This fictitious report is a clear example of reckless journalism and malicious prosecution,” the group noted.

It urged the public to disregard the false report but demand accountability from their elected officials.

(NAN)