Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has dismissed viral reports on social media claiming he was sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly stealing N1 trillion during his tenure.
Ikpeazu described the report as fake, malicious, and delibrate attempt to tarnished his reputation.
He urged the public to disregard the story, stressing that no court in Nigeria had tried or sentenced him for any offence.
The ex-governor further warned those behind the false publication to desist from spreading misinformation, noting that he reserved the right to take legal action against purveyors of fake news.
Ikpeazu in an interview with journalists described the publication as poorly fabricated story lacking any iota of truth.
A viral social media report surfaced Tuesday evening to the effect that Abia State High Court has sentenced former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to death by hanging after investigators traced N1 trillion to his secret foreign account in Australia.
“The money according to court documents was originally earmarked for the ambitious Abia International Airport project and a light rail system that promise to change the face of the state, instead, prosecutors revealed it was siphoned off and hidden abroad.
“Delivering the verdict, Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu said: “The evidence before this court is overwhelming. This was not just theft – it was betrayal of millions of Africa’s who were denied progress and hope. Such crimes against humanity must carry the highest penalty.
“With N1 trillion, Abia could have had two airports, a modern rail line, and stable electricity. Instead, the state was left in decay. This sentenced is not just punishable, but s message that no one is above the law”.
He noted that the entire allocation of Abia State in his eight years as governor did not amount to N500 billion, let alone N1 trillion.
According to Ikpeazu, there is no Judge in Nigeria by name “Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu” who was credited with delivering the alleged judgment.
“This one is not news, It’s laughable. No judge in Nigeria is called Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu.
“The total allocation of Abia State in my eight years did not even reach N500 billion. So, where is the N1 trillion they claimed I stole coming from? When was the trial conducted?, he said.
Ikpeazu further expressed that If cases of fraud exist, the Nigeria judicial system does not classify financial crimes as capital offences warranting the death penalty.
“Even If it is true that there was fraud, is the punishment for fraud a capital offence?, let people be guided with the type of story they bring to the public”, he added.
The former governor urged the public to disregard the viral report, describing it as an attempt by mischief-makers.
Ikpeazu, who governed Abia State from 2015-2023 was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
-9News Nigeria.
