UPDATE: Kalu returns to Senate after release from prison

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has officially returned to the Senate after his release from prison.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, officially welcomed Kalu, who is the Chief Whip of the Senate.

• Correctional Service confirms Kalu’s release from custody 
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Senator Kalu was recently released from a Nigeria Correctional Service’s custodial centre.

The former governor of Abia State was on December 5, 2019 sent to custody by the court.

Kalu was found guilty by a Federal High Court in Lagos on fraud charges and remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

“Thank God for me”

Speaking upon his return to the Senate, Kalu called his six-month incarceration at the Kuje correctional centre a “good experience”.

He said, “There is no talking but giving thanks to God for me. Just thank God.

“If you go to church or mosque, just go there and thank God for me.

“There is hope.

“You people should allow me to go and do the job I have not done for my constituency.

“A lot of things need to be done.

“They know I was an action governor and I am going to be an action senator, so there is no problem.

“My constituency and Nigerians, we need to focus our agenda on them. Good experience.

“Let’s keep hope alive and see what the future brings.”

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who officially welcomed Kalu to the Senate, congratulated him for resuming legislative duties.

Lawan said: “On behalf of the Senate and indeed the National Assembly, Chief Whip, you are welcome.

“We are very grateful to the Almighty God for his blessings. Congratulations for being here.”

Journey to and from prison

Kalu’s conviction and sentencing to 12 years in jail came 12 years after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed N7.65 billion fraud charge against him.

The EFCC had filed the charge in 2007.

However, the Supreme Court, ruling on an appeal filed by his co-defendant, quashed the trial on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court’s judgment followed an appeal contending that the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, concluded the 12-year-old trial and gave judgment after he had been elevated to the Court of Appeal and ceased to be a judge of the Federal High Court.

Notwithstanding the Supreme Court rulling over Kalu’s trial alongside Ude Jones Udeogu and his company, Slok Nigeria Ltd, he was not permitted to benefit from the judgement because he was not the applicant.

As a result, Kalu filed a separate application dated May 12, 2020 before the Federal High Court in Lagos, asking the court to set aside his trial, conviction and sentence for 12 years imprisonment on 39-count charges.

And on June 2, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered his release from the custodial centre.

Justice Mohammad Liman gave the order releasing Kalu following the application brought on his behalf by his lawyers led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).