“Death Sentence On Me? Perish The Thought, No Judge By Such Name” –  Ikpeazu, Fmr. Abia Gov

By Ayodele Oni

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.

Ikpeazu in an interview with journalists, described the publication as a poorly fabricated story lacking any iota of truth.

A viral social media report surfaced Tuesday evening to the effect that the Abia State High Court has sentenced former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to death by hanging after investigators traced ₦1 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 promised 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 the betrayal of millions of Abians who were denied progress and hope. Such crimes against humanity must carry the highest penalty.

“With ₦1 trillion, Abia could have had two airports, a modern rail line, and stable electricity. Instead, the state was left in decay. This sentence is not just punishment, but a message that no one is above the law.”

According to Ikpeazu, 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.