Abuja: The South East Good Governance Advocates (SEGGA) has urged those behind recent social media reports alleging a death sentence for former governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to focus on promoting good governance in Abia.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the group made this appeal in a statement issued by Mark Onukwuwe and Anozie Madu, its coordinator and secretary. The statement was a response to what they described as a false and malicious social media report claiming that an Abia High Court had sentenced Ikpeazu to death for embezzling over N5 trillion, meant for airport and light rail projects.
The group clarified that there is no judicial officer by the name Emeka Nwogu serving in the Abia State judiciary, casting doubt on the authenticity of the alleged court judgment. It further emphasized that Nigerian jurisprudence does not categorize corruption offenses as capital crimes warranting the death penalty. SEGGA suggested that the claim is likely a fabrication aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Abia State Judiciary.
SEGGA criticized the report as a blatant attempt to distract the public and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in Abia, rather than diversionary tactics. Onukwuwe highlighted the absurdity of the claims against Ikpeazu, noting that simple arithmetic reveals that if Abia State attracted N4 billion monthly, it would amount to N48 billion annually, or N480 billion over ten years.