The Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has said a fresh trial will be launched against 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.
This is coming after the Supreme Court nullified the judgement which had sentenced the former Governor to imprisonment.The EFCC says it is therefore ordering their fresh trial at the lower court.
According to the EFCC, 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 says it considers the judgment of the Apex Court as quite unfortunate.
“It is a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor,” the Commission stated, adding that it is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming.
READ ALSO: Supreme Court Nullifies Orji Uzor Kalu’s Conviction, Reassign Case For Trial
According to the EFCC, the corruption charges against Kalu still subsist because the Supreme Court did not acquit him of them.
The Commission further states that its entire prosecutorial machinery would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course.
Yetunde Adegoke
