The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned Lasberry Anyanwu before Justice E. F. Njemanze of the Imo State High Court for alleged fraud.
Mr Anyanwu, a former commissioner for transport and chairman, Imo State Transport Company in Rochas Okorocha’s administration, is being prosecuted on four-count charges bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office, stealing and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N180 million.
Count three of the charge read, “That you, Prince Lasberry Okafor Anyanwu a.k.a Lasberry Okafor sometime between the 6th day of November, 2017 and 10th day of November, 2017 at Owerri, Imo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being employed as the chairman, Committee on Review of Imo Transport Company, used your office to confer a corrupt advantage upon yourself, when you caused the transfer of the sum of N100 million (One Hundred Million Naira) only…”
The EFCC said the alleged offences were punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Anyanwu pleaded not guilty to all the charges, following which prosecution counsel Victor Okereke asked for a trial date and for the court to remand him in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Service, pending trial.
Defence counsel J.C. Ezem, however, filed an application for Anyanwu’s bail.
Justice Njemanze admitted him to bail in the sum of N20 million, with two sureties, who must be resident in Owerri; swear affidavit of means and deposit two passports each.
The case was adjourned till January 21 and 28, 2021, and February 4 and 11, 2021.
