The South East Good Governance Advocates (SEGGA) has urged behind recent social media reports alleging former governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu’s, death sentenced to focus on promoting good governance in Abia.

The group said this In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mark Onukwuwe and Anozie Madu, its coordinator and secretary.

It said the call was in response to what it described as false and malicious social media report that claimed that an Abia High Court had sentenced Ikpeazu to death for embezzling over N5 trillion.

The fund was purportedly meant for airport and light rail projects.

“For the sake of clarity, it is pertinent to note that there is no judicial officer by the name Emeka Nwogu serving in the Abia State judiciary.

“This raises significant doubts about the authenticity of the alleged Court Judgment.

“Furthermore, Nigerian jurisprudence does not classify corruption offenses as capital crimes warranting the death penalty.

“This purported claim appears to be an egregious fabrication, likely propagated in social media seeking to besmirch the reputation of the esteemed Abia State Judiciary,” it said.

The group said the report was not only entirely fabricated but also a blatant attempt to distract the public from what it described as failures of the current administration.

“The people of Abia deserve transparency and accountability, not diversionary tactics,” they said.

According to him, a simple arithmetic calculation reveals the absurdity of the claims against Ikpeazu.

“If Abia State were to attract N4 billion monthly, that would amount to N48 billion annually, and N480 billion over ten years.

“Where is the evidence to support the claim of N5 trillion embezzlement?

“This fictitious report is a clear example of reckless journalism and malicious prosecution,” the group noted.

It urged the public to disregard the false report but demand accountability from their elected officials. (NAN, but headline rejigged)