Political forces arm-twisting judiciary on Kalu’s trial, Abia stakeholders tell Buhari

Stakeholders under the aegis of Abia Network Against Corruption have alerted President Muhammadu Buhari that some political forces in the country were frustrating his anti-graft war and especially the trial of a former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu over alleged N7.6 billion fraud.

Addressing a press conference Wednesday, in Abuja, the National Convener of the Network, Igwe Onyeka, said the sudden shift of date for judgement in the case without reasons was a ploy to delay justice.

He said tax payers and other lovers of democracy in the state were glad when Justice Idris of the Federal High Court fixed December 2, for judgement in the over 12 years long trial of the former governor.

“We support the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari, and we wish to draw the attention of Mr President to the seemingly brazen plot to arm twist the judiciary in the trial of Chief Kalu.

“We were told there would be no sacred cow in the fight against corruption but the trial of Chief Kalu and the intrigues that may have characterised it is beginning to suggest otherwise.

“We still see the outcome of the trial of Senator Kalu as a litmus test to the judiciary. The judicial as an important organ of government should rise up to the occasion

“We are aware of the plot by some chieftains of a particular political party to influence the judgment here as reported by a famous online newspaper.

“The question here is could the sudden change of date in the judgment part of the alleged plot to frustrate the proceeding? We watching,  Nigerians and others are also  watching. We want justice and not only judgment,” he said.