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EFCC tags S’Court ruling on Orji Kalu a technical ambush, prepares for re-trial

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The Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described the judgment of the Supreme Court on the case of former Abia State governor, Orji Kalu as unfortunate.

The anti-graft agency said it was “a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor.”

Kalu, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account of Abia State government were recently committed to prison over alleged fraud of N7.1 billion by Justice Mohammed Idris.

But ruling in Kalu’s appeal against the ruling, the Supreme Court, on Friday nullified the trial, and ordered for a fresh trial at the lower court.

The apex court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice 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.

However, responding to the ruling, the EFCC in a statement by its substantive Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said it was prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others were overwhelming.

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“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 EFCC said.

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