Ohanaeze rejoices over Orji Kalu’s conviction, shortlists 69 other Igbo politicians for trial

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has applauded the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government over the conviction of Abia State former governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

The group said the fate that befell the former governor and serving senator showed that Buhari’s anti-corruption fight remained impartial.

It added that it had shortlisted 69 more corrupt politicians in South East for trial and called on Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to also ensure their prosecution and imprisonment.

A Federal High Court in Lagos had on Thursday found Kalu guilty of N7.65 billion fraud when he was the governor of Abia State and ruled he should serve 12 years in prison for committing the offence.

Ohanaeze youths reacted to the development in a statement signed by its president-general and secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike respectively.

The statement read:

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide viewed the recent pronouncement of Federal High Court Lagos, sentencing Senator Orji Kalu for the N7.65bn looted during his tenure as Abia State Governor, with others as clear evidence that President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime is impartial and sincere in his anti-corruption crusade and effort towards strengthening institutions against powerful politicians irrespective of party affiliation.

Read also: Court convicts ex-Abia Gov, now senator Kalu, of fraud

“Orji Kalu conviction contradicts the beliefs that APC is Safe Haven for looters but it shows that looters seeking refuge in APC and those seen as sacred cows and untouchables may not escape the full weight of the law, having betrayed people’s trust through siphoning huge funds meant for development and dividends of democracy.

“Senator Orji Kalu will definitely appeal the court judgment that sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment over corruption charges and theft of 7.65bn of Abia State government money, but this judgment is an eye-opener for Nigerians that joining APC, will not absolve any corrupt politician from being jailed.”

“We plead with President Buhari to jail more former governors whose corruption cases have been swept under the carpet, no politician should be spared on the fight against corruption, APC should sanitised their party by jailing those who had pending cases of corruption in courts.”

The group added that it had shortlisted those politicians behind many alleged scams in South East in its three pages petition addressed to President Buhari and copied to EFCC for the law to take its full course.

“Those who had squandered the people’s money should spend greater part of their lives in Jail to serve as a deterrent for those in governance against looting spree that we had witnessed since 1999.

READ ALSO: Buhari, Nigeria fit each other, I pray he runs for third term, Omokri says

“Wth full autonomy passed by National Assembly for 774 local governments, there will be less embezzlement in state government houses in Nigeria. Those who committed monumental frauds in the name of governance while in government should meet Senator Orji Kalu’s fate,

“There’s over 69 politicians who had been shortlisted from South East in our three pages petition addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, including three former governors, one current South East governor, six serving senators and 12 Reps members and others.

“We are cleansing South East, I hope other Ethnic nationalities Youths will sanitise their Zones.”

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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