In a ruling that has shaken the nation, the Abia State High Court has sentenced former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to death by hanging after investigators uncovered ₦1 trillion stashed in a secret foreign account in Australia.
The funds, originally meant for the Abia International Airport project and a light rail system, were allegedly diverted. Prosecutors revealed that what could have transformed the state was instead hidden abroad.
Delivering judgment, Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu declared:
“The evidence before this court is overwhelming. This was not just theft, it was betrayal of millions of Abians who were denied progress and hope. Such crimes against humanity must carry the highest penalty.”
He further noted that with ₦1 trillion, Abia State could have had two airports, a modern rail system, and stable electricity, but instead was left in decay.
The courtroom went silent as the sentence was read, with gasps and mixed reactions from observers. Outside, some residents hailed the ruling as historic justice, while others expressed shock at both the scale of the fraud and the severity of the punishment.
Authorities confirmed that Ikpeazu remains under heavy security as preparations for the execution and fund repatriation move forward.
#BreakingNews #AbiaState #OkezieIkpeazu #Corruption #Justice #NigeriaNews #Accountability
0 Comments