A viral post claims that Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia, has been sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly diverting N1 trillion public funds.
According to the post, investigators traced the money to Ikpeazu’s foreign account in Australia. It further alleged that the funds were originally allocated for the Abia International Airport and a light rail project.
The post also claimed that one “Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu” delivered the judgement, allegedly stating that the evidence against Ikpeazu was “overwhelming” and that such “betrayal” of Abians warranted the “highest penalty”.
It added that the former governor was under heavy security watch while efforts were underway to recover the stolen funds.
The claim has been widely circulated on on X and Facebook as seen here, here and here.
VERIFYING THE CLAIM
CableCheck reviewed sections 98 of the criminal code act and found that while corruption attracts imprisonment for public office holders, capital punishment is not prescribed under the Nigerian law.
A search of the Abia state judiciary website also showed no record of a Justice chukwuemeka Nwogu on the bench.
Furthermore, no credible news outlet has reported such a conviction. Given Ikpeazu’s profile as a former governor, such a case would have been widely covered in local and international media.
CableCheck also reached out to John Kalu, former commissioner for trade and investment in Abia, who dismissed the claim, saying that Ikpeazu has no criminal case anywhere in the world.
VERDICT
The claim that Okezie Ikpeazu has been sentenced to death for diverting ₦1 trillion is false. The named judge is fictitious, and Nigerian law does not prescribe capital punishment for corruption.
