The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a two-year imprisonment sentence against a traditional ruler, Eze Bob Ubiaru, for embezzling N40 million out of N60 million compensation for the relocation of shrines in his domain.
The shrines were relocated for the installation of public power infrastructure on their sacred land.
But the monarch reportedly converted N40 million of the cash to his personal use.
A statement by ICPC’s spokesperson Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa said the suspected accomplice of the convicted monarch, Patrick Ubiaru, was discharged and acquitted.
The statement said: “Eze Ubiaru, the traditional ruler of Ipupe Community in Ubakala-Umuahia South Local Government of Abia State, and the Secretary to the palace, Patrick Iyke Ubiaru, were charged by ICPC before Honourable Justice Agwu Umah Kalu of the High Court of Abia State for fraudulently converting N40 million out of N60 million paid to the community as compensation to relocate the community’s shrines in order to give way for the power project under the National Infrastructure Power Project (NIPP), which passed through the community.
“The charge against the traditional ruler, who was the first defendant in Count One, was brought under Section 363(1) and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 80, Laws of Abia State 2005.
The first defendant was also charged under Count Two for conferring corrupt advantage upon himself, contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“…Ubiaru was charged under Count Three for criminal alteration of records of community meetings, contrary to Section 15(a) and punishable under Section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“…The trial judge held that the prosecution had proved the case in Count One beyond reasonable doubt, in that there was enough evidence to show that the first defendant did not use the money to relocate the community shrines but actually converted the money to his personal use.
“Justice Kalu, however, discharged and acquitted the first defendant on Count Two on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove that the first defendant was a public officer, as stipulated in Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“With respect to the second defendant, the trial judge held that although the prosecution clearly proved alteration against the second defendant, the prosecution, however, failed to prove that he was at the material time in the employment of the Eze-in-Council, which was one of the ingredients of the offence.
“…The judge convicted Eze Ubiaru on Count One and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of N3 million, while Ubiaru was discharged and acquitted.
“Justice Kalu also held that the sum of N10 million in the deposit account of First Bank Plc fixed by Eze Ubiaru from the proceeds of the crime be forfeited and given to the true representatives of Ipupe Community who are to be identified by the Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.