Nigeria’s anti-graft
agency described the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the conviction of the
former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, as “unfortunate.”
agency described the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the conviction of the
former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, as “unfortunate.”
“The judgment of the
supreme court is very disappointing,” the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission said in a series of tweets on Friday, adding that “it is a
legal provocation against the trial of the former governor.”
supreme court is very disappointing,” the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission said in a series of tweets on Friday, adding that “it is a
legal provocation against the trial of the former governor.”
The EFCC reported that the
corruption allegations against Kalu still existed as the apex court had not
cleared him of them.
corruption allegations against Kalu still existed as the apex court had not
cleared him of them.
“The entire case of
the EFCC will be conducted in a fresh court where justice is expected to be
done in due time,” said the EFCC.
the EFCC will be conducted in a fresh court where justice is expected to be
done in due time,” said the EFCC.
On Friday morning, the
Supreme Court reversed Kalu’s judgment that he had been found guilty of a
multi-billion naira graft case in December 2019.
Supreme Court reversed Kalu’s judgment that he had been found guilty of a
multi-billion naira graft case in December 2019.
Throughout his two tenure
as governor between 1999 and 2007, Kalu was accused of pillaging and
mismanagement of funds belonging to Abia State.
as governor between 1999 and 2007, Kalu was accused of pillaging and
mismanagement of funds belonging to Abia State.
In December, Justice
Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Senator Kalu to 12
years in prison. Ude Udeogu, Kalu’s Director of Finance and Accounting, was
also sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Senator Kalu to 12
years in prison. Ude Udeogu, Kalu’s Director of Finance and Accounting, was
also sentenced to 10 years in jail.
However, Kalu and Udeogu
lodged an appeal against the judgment of Idris in the Supreme Court.
lodged an appeal against the judgment of Idris in the Supreme Court.
In a unanimous decision on
the appeal lodged by Justice Ejembi Eko, the supreme court claimed that the
appellants’ conviction was null and void.
the appeal lodged by Justice Ejembi Eko, the supreme court claimed that the
appellants’ conviction was null and void.
Justice Eko clarified that
the decision was based on the basis that Idris was already a judge of the Court
of Appeal, as at the time of the judgment handed down by Kalu and Udeogu. He
held that a Justice of the Court of Appeal cannot operate as a judge of the
Federal High Court.
the decision was based on the basis that Idris was already a judge of the Court
of Appeal, as at the time of the judgment handed down by Kalu and Udeogu. He
held that a Justice of the Court of Appeal cannot operate as a judge of the
Federal High Court.
Accordingly, the supreme
court ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the matter
for trial.
court ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the matter
for trial.
