Was Former Governor Ikpeazu Sentenced to Death?

In the past few days, social media platforms like Facebook and X have been buzzing with claims that Okezie Ikpeazu, the former governor of Abia State, has been sentenced to death. 

The story alleged that Ikpeazu was found guilty of diverting public funds worth over N1 trillion and that a judge had ruled he must face the highest penalty. But how true is this claim?

The story circulating online

According to the viral posts, investigators reportedly traced the funds meant for the construction of Abia International Airport and a light rail projectnto a foreign account in Australia linked to Ikpeazu. 

The post even went as far as naming a certain “Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu” as the one who passed the judgment, saying the evidence against Ikpeazu was overwhelming. 

It further claimed that the former governor has been under tight security while efforts were being made to recover the stolen money.

Why the Claim Falls Apart

When this story was checked, several red flags were discovered:

• No credible media report: For someone as prominent as a former state governor, such a judgment would have been headline news across Nigeria and even beyond. Yet, no major news outlet reported it.
  
• The judge does not exist: A search through the Abia State Judiciary showed no record of any “Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu” sitting on the bench.
  
• The law does not support it: Nigeria’s Criminal Code punishes corruption with imprisonment but does not prescribe the death penalty for such offences.
  
• Silence from official channels: There was no official court record or government communication confirming the alleged sentencing.
  

All these clearly point to the fact that the claim is false.

How Ikpeazu’s camp responded

John Kalu, who served as Commissioner for Trade and Investment under Ikpeazu, dismissed the rumours. He stated that the former governor has no criminal record anywhere in the world. 

Since leaving office in 2023 after losing both his senatorial bid and the governorship seat to the Labour Party Ikpeazu has remained active in political circles and has even been spotted at several events, fuelling speculations that he may contest in the 2027 elections.