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Abuse of office

Jun 19, 2025

FRN vs Prince Laseberry Okafor Anyanwu (Former Commissioner of Transport)

Humans

Prince Laseberry Okafor Anyanwu

Money bag

N180,000,000.00

Money bag

Case Summary
The accused, while being employed as the Chairman, Committee on Review of Imo Transport Company, allegedly used his office to confer a corrupt advantage upon himself when he caused the transfer of the said sum, property of Imo Transport Company’s account with Imo State Microfinance bank’s Polaris bank account to the Polaris bank account belonging to one Oma Oil & Industries Ltd, a company in which he is a Shareholder/Director/Chairman/Chief Executive and signatory to the bank accounts of the said company.

Calendar

0
Year(s) case tried in court

Gavel

Case Update
In delivering judgment, the presiding judge held that the prosecution had proved the case against the defendant, and thereafter, convicted and sentenced him to one year imprisonment each on counts 2, 3, and 4 without an option of fine. The sentence shall run concurrently. The Judge, however, discharged and acquitted him on count one. The Judge further ordered that the N180,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira) in the accounts of the convict, already the subject of an interim forfeiture order, be forfeited to the Imo State Government.

Court house

Hon. Justice K. A Lewanya
State High Court, Imo

Legislation

ACJA/ACJL Compliance - complied

Case Information
Prince Laseberry Okafor Anyanwu
Presiding Judge & Designated Court
Hon. Justice K. A Lewanya, State High Court, Imo
Nature and Number of Charges
4-count charge bordering on abuse of office and fraudulent diversion of funds.
Date of 1st Arraignment
Mar 14, 2023
Summary of Case
The accused, while being employed as the Chairman, Committee on Review of Imo Transport Company, allegedly used his office to confer a corrupt advantage upon himself when he caused the transfer of the said sum, property of Imo Transport Company’s account with Imo State Microfinance bank’s Polaris bank account to the Polaris bank account belonging to one Oma Oil & Industries Ltd, a company in which he is a Shareholder/Director/Chairman/Chief Executive and signatory to the bank accounts of the said company.
Defendant(s) and Plea entered on Arraignment
1. Prince Laseberry Okafor Anyanwu (Former Commissioner of Transport) – Not guilty
Defence Counsel(s)
No defence counsel
Prosecuting Agency
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Prosecutor(s)
No prosecutors recorded
Status of Case
Decided
Decision
Convicted
Length of Trial
0 year(s)
ACJA/ACJL Compliance
Complied
Court Decision
In delivering judgment, the presiding judge held that the prosecution had proved the case against the defendant, and thereafter, convicted and sentenced him to one year imprisonment each on counts 2, 3, and 4 without an option of fine. The sentence shall run concurrently. The Judge, however, discharged and acquitted him on count one. The Judge further ordered that the N180,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira) in the accounts of the convict, already the subject of an interim forfeiture order, be forfeited to the Imo State Government.