EFCC sets for fresh, immediate trial of Orji Kalu


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said is not over for former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as they are set for fresh and immediate trial.
The commission which expresses dissatisfaction over the judgement given by the Supreme Court which nullifies Kalu’s 12 year jail term, on Friday May 8th, 2020 is now set to launch more charges against Kalu.
According to statement released by the agency and signed by the Head, Media and Publicity of the agency, Dele Oyewale, EFCC describes the Supreme Court judgement as “quite unfortunate.”
The statement titled: Orji Kalu: EFCC SET FOR FRESH, IMMEDIATE RE-TRIAL, reads:
The attention of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the attention 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 judgement and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgement which is considered as illegal. The EFCC considers the judgement 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 evidence 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.

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