Matilda Omonaiye/
The Court of Appeal sitting in Imo State has upheld the conviction and three-year prison sentence handed to Prince Laseberry Okafor Anyanwu, a former Commissioner for Transport under the administration of ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha, over his involvement in a N180 million fraud.
Anyanwu was convicted for diverting funds belonging to the Imo State Transport Company into the account of a private company, Oma Oil and Industries Limited, where he held significant interests.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Enugu Zonal Directorate, had arraigned him on November 26, 2020, before Justice E.F. Njemanze of the Imo State High Court on a four-count charge of abuse of office and fraudulent diversion of public funds.
Investigations revealed that while serving as Commissioner, Anyanwu transferred N100 million from the account of the Imo State Transport Company to the account of Oma Oil and Industries Ltd, a company in which he was listed as shareholder, director, chairman and chief executive, and also a signatory to its bank accounts.
He also facilitated another fraudulent transfer of N80 million from the Ministry of Transport’s account to the same company.
The offences contravened Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Although Anyanwu pleaded not guilty, the prosecution, led by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Michael Ikechukwu Ani, called three witnesses and tendered several documents which were admitted in evidence.
In a judgment delivered on March 14, 2023, Justice K.A. Lewanya found Anyanwu guilty on three counts, sentenced him to one year imprisonment on each count without an option of fine, to run concurrently, and ordered the forfeiture of N180 million linked to the fraudulent transactions to the Imo State Government.
He was however acquitted on count one.
Unhappy with the decision, Anyanwu appealed the judgment, asking the appellate court to overturn his conviction.
However, delivering judgment on Wednesday, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.
In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Abubakar held that the former commissioner directly acquired a private interest in the management lease agreement involving the Imo State Transport Company and Oma Oil and Industries Ltd.
The panel ruled that the EFCC had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, and upheld the judgment of the High Court in full.
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