Connect with us

Politics

EFCC re-arraigns ex-Gov Kalu, others for alleged N3.2bn theft case after 9yrs 

Published

on

EFCC re-arraigns ex-Gov Kalu, others on alleged N3.2bn theft case after 9yrs

Abia State former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu; his ex-aide, Jones Udeogo and Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, were arraigned on Tuesday before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a case that was stalled nine years ago.

Kalu and others were first arraigned in 2007 before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja (now retired). They were arraigned this time in an amended 34-count charge over an alleged diversion of about N3.2bn from the treasury of Abia State government during the period he was governor.

Before they were finally arraigned, Kalu and others had prayed against the proceedings, and asked the court to await the pending appeal by Slok at the Supreme Court.

However, Justice Anwuri Chikere objected their plea and demanded that the charges be read to them.

Read also: Crisis of integrity hunts Okorocha’s govt

They pleaded not guilty when the changes were read to them and Kalu’s lawyer, Awa Kalu (SAN), prayed the court to allow them to remain on the bail earlier granted them. He tendered to the court a copy of the enrolled orders made in 2008 by Justice Bello, granting bail to Kalu and Udeogo.

The counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), did not object to the position canvassed by the defence lawyers.

At the end the court granted them bail on the terms attached to the bail earlier granted them Justice Bello when they were arraigned on April 30, 2008 and adjourned the case till December 6 for the commencement of trial.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

 

 

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now