The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described as ‘unfortunate’ the judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying the conviction of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Reacting to the judgment, the anti-graft agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the re-trial of the former Abia State Governor will begin “immediately”.
A Federal High Court in Lagos presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris (now of the Court of Appeal) convicted and sentenced Kalu to 12 years imprisonment on December 5, 2019 and ordered that his company, Slok Nig. Ltd. should be wound up with its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
THE STATEMENT
The attention of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying the trial of a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu , his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account of Abia State Government and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court.
The apex court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu and others had been elevated to the Court of Appeal before the judgment and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgment which it considered as illegal.
The EFCC considers the judgment of the apex court as quite unfortunate. It is a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor. The Commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming. The corruption charges against Kalu still subsist because the Supreme Court did not acquit him of them. The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course.
Full Statement shortly pls.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
08/05/2020
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