***Says Kalu Not Yet Acquited, Evidences Against Him Overwhelming
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has countered the Supreme Court ruling voiding the conviction of the former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, saying that it is ready for the retrial of him (Kalu) since the apex court did not acquit him neither did it say that he was not corrupt.
A seven-man panel of the apex court had on Friday declared the conviction of Kalu by the Federal High Court as null and void citing that the then presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal, as at the time he delivered the judgment sentencing the appellants.
The seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Ejembi Eko maintained that Justice of the Court of Appeal cannot operate as a judge of the Federal High Court.
But EFCC in its counter reaction to the ruling said: “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.”
The full text of the EFCC’s statement is as below:
Orji Kalu: EFCC SET FOR FRESH, IMMEDIATE RE-TRIAL 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.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
