TELL Magazine

Says it is ready for immediate re-trial of case.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has swiftly reacted to the Supreme Court’s nullification of the conviction of Orji Uzo Kalu, former governor of Abia State, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Jones Ude Udeogo, finance director in government house, Umuahia, by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

In a preliminary press release signed by Dele Oyewale, head of media and publicity, the Commission described the judgment as “unfortunate” and said it was “set for fresh, immediate re-trial.” Oyewale said “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  has been drawn to the judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying the trial of 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 and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court. 

“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 considers the judgment of the apex court as quite unfortunate. It is a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor.  The Commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming. 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.”