Ex-Gov Kalu’s trial stalled as court awaits order to proceed

The trial of former Governor Orji Kalu of Abia State in a N7.2 billion fraud might have been stalled as a federal High Court in Lagos awaits further instructions to proceed with the trial.

Presiding Justice Mohammed Idris said it would become difficult to continue with the case which was adjourned till today (Wednesday), until further instruction was given.

Kalu who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2016 is facing a thirty nine counts charge of money laundering.

The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had urged the court to order the Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress to surrender all his travelling documents while Counsel to Kalu, Mr Awa Kalu (SAN) expressed dissatisfaction at the submission of the prosecutor.

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But the Judge who has been elevated to the Court of Appeal noted that he had received a fiat on January 10 while the case before him was not mentioned.

He expressed his constraint in proceeding with the trial while noting he had to apply caution.

“I should not proceed further, otherwise, I will be acting without authority. So, in the circumstance, I am of the view that further proceedings shouldn’t go on until I receive further instructions,” he said.

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