A former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has dismissed as false and laughable the viral social media reports alleging that he was sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly stealing ₦1 trillion during his tenure, reports Thefrontrank.
Ikpeazu in an interview with journalists, described the publication as a poorly fabricated story lacking any iota of truth.
According to him, there is no judge in Nigeria by the name “Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu” who was credited with delivering the alleged judgment.
He noted that the entire allocation of Abia State in his eight years as governor did not amount to ₦500 billion, let alone ₦1 trillion.
“This one is not news, it is laughable. No judge in Nigeria is called Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu.
“The total allocation of Abia State in my eight years did not even reach ₦500 billion. So, where is the ₦1 trillion they claimed I stole coming from? When was the trial conducted?” he queried.
Ikpeazu further stressed that even if cases of fraud exist, the Nigerian 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 to mislead Nigerians and smear his image.
