EFCC Rejects Supreme Court Ruling, Set For Orji Kalu’s Re-Trial
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is ready to commence fresh and immediate re-trial of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, over alleged corruption charges as ordered by the Supreme Court on Friday, May 8, 2020.
Describing the apex Court judgement as a ‘technical ambush” against Senator Kalu’s trial, the anti-graft Agency said its entire prosecutorial machinery will be “launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course.”
The Supreme Court ruling voided a Federal High Court judgment that sent the former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North at the National Assembly (NASS) to 12 years imprisonment.
Reacting to the apex Court’s ruling in a statement titled: “Orji Kalu: EFCC Set For Fresh, Immediate Re-Trial”, and signed by its Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-corruption 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.”
“Full Statement shortly please”, the EFCC said
