Five Ipupe Ubakala community elders on Thursday appeared in an Umuahia Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing N28,007,500, property of the Ipupe Development Union, Ubakala, in the Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.

The defendants are Ben David (73), Monday Umezuruike (76), Isaac Ngwaba (76), Bob Ikondu (76) and Uche Onwukanjo (69).

The men were arraigned on five counts under charge no. U/139C/2021.

They were alleged to have “between December 14, 2016, and July 24, 2019, conspired among themselves to commit felony by converting various sums, including N14m and  N10m, to their personal use, while Ben David (pastor) at various times, made unauthorised withdrawals of N2,630,000 and N1,377,500 from the community’s bank account.”

 

The offences were said to be punishable under sections 516A and 390 (8)(b) of the Criminal Code Cap. 80, Vol. 3, Laws of Abia State 2005.

Following a written request by the Caretaker Chairman and Caretaker Secretary of the Ipupe Development Union (Federated), Apostle Shedrack Peterson, and Deacon Charles Nwakirindu, respectively, to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to take over the matter, the presiding Magistrate, I. U. Kalu, transferred the case to the DPP.

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