Court Affirms Conviction Of Former Imo Commissioner, Lasberry-Okafor Anyanwu

A Court of Appeal in Owerri has upheld the conviction and one-year prison sentence given to Lasberry Okafor-Anyanwu, a former Imo State Commissioner for Transport under Rochas Okorocha’s administration.

In the ruling delivered on July 30, 2025, Justice Mohammed Lawal-Abubakar stated that the prosecution had successfully proven that Okafor-Anyanwu used his position to illegally benefit himself.

The court rejected his appeal, saying it had no merit.

Back in March 2023, the Imo State High Court had found him guilty on three out of four counts related to abuse of office and acquiring government property for personal use.

He was acquitted on one count but convicted on the others.

The case centered on events between 2015 and 2019 when Lasberry Okafor-Anyanwu chaired a committee reviewing the Imo Transport Company before becoming Transport Commissioner.

During that time, he allegedly signed a lease deal involving Oma Oil & Industries Ltd, a company where he was Chairman and had full control of the accounts, and diverted public funds.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented documents and witness statements showing that he moved ₦180 million from state accounts into Oma Oil’s bank account: ₦100 million from Imo State Microfinance Bank in 2017, and ₦80 million from the Ministry of Transport in 2018.

The Appeal Court ruled that these actions clearly violated anti-corruption laws, specifically Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The judgment also backed the earlier ruling by Justice K.A. Lewanya, which had ordered the permanent forfeiture of the ₦180 million to the Imo State Government.

Meanwhile, Lagos High Court in Ikeja has rejected a fresh bail request from businessman Fred Ajudua, who is facing trial for allegedly defrauding a Palestinian national of over $1 million.