Ikpeazu further argued that the entire story was fabricated to mislead the public.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has dismissed claims that a judge sentenced him to death by hanging for allegedly stealing N1 trillion during his tenure.
He refuted the reports on Tuesday during an interview with ABN TV, saying the news is “laughable”.
Prior to his rebuttal, viral reports circulating on various social media platforms had claimed that a large sum of money was discovered in Ikpeazu’s secret foreign account and that he was subsequently sentenced to death by hanging by an Abia State High Court.
While denying the reports, the former governor said the claims were laughable and mischievous.
He also insisted that the entire story was fabricated to mislead the public.
Speaking during the chat, Ikpeazu said, “This is not news, it is laughable.”
Also wadding into the matter, former Abia State Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu said the report was an “hate speech”.
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He added that the fake news was a cyber crime committed by people working for Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti.
He urged the DSS to fish out those behind the report, noting that a similar fake news was recently published against Ikpeazu by a popular Nigerian music star.
Addressing the allegation levelled by Kalu, the Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand distanced his boss from the fake news and cautioned the former Commissioner against using Otti’s name to seek favour from Ikpeazu.
He added that his principal could not have sponsored anyone to publish such a fake report.
Speaking via his Facebook page, Ekeoma wrote, “It is laughable to imagine that Governor Otti who played the most responsible and decent opposition politics in the history of Abia State would sponsor anyone to allege that the former Governor was sentenced to death for alleged corruption.
“What would Governor Otti stand to gain from such a rubbish report?”
