Igbere People Celebrate Supreme Court Ruling On Orji Kalu
It is celebration galore for kinsmen of former Governor of Abia State and Senator, representing Abia North, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu as they expressed joy over the Supreme Court of Nigeria judgment that nullified his conviction and the 12-year jail term for corruption.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), they described the judgment as apt and well served by the apex court
In his comments, Elder Uwakwe Okoronkwo, President-General, Igbere Welfare Union, expressed delight over Kalu’s release from prison and pointed out that the judiciary remained the last hope of every Nigerian.
“Thank God the Supreme Court did not compromise but has shown that it is the last hope of the common man.
“We are happy since he has been released and we urge him to continue to represent the interest of Igbo people and the country,’’ Okoronkwo said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the court also quashed the conviction of Ude Udeogu, who was a Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia Government House during Kalu’s tenure.
Justice Mohammed Idris had on December 5, 2019, sentenced the former governor and Senate Chief Whip to 12 years in prison for allegedly stealing public funds while in office, and Mr Udeogu sentenced to 10 years in prison.
A third defendant, SLOK Nigeria, Kalu’s company was ordered to be winded up and its assets forfeited to the Nigerian government. They were convicted for defrauding the government of Abia when Kalu was governor.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had brought the criminal charge against the duo for conspiring and diverting N7.6 billion from the coffers of the state.
On his part, the President General, Amankalu Igbere Improvement Union, Chief Ukaegbu Kazi, emphasised the need for Kalu to remain committed to championing the cause of Igbo people.
Ukaegbu, a retired principal, expressed optimism that Kalu’s release from prison would enable him to be better focused in delivering good representation for his constituents at the National Assembly.
“The manner he was convicted leaves a big question mark and gave a reason for him to always apply caution.
“Kalu must always look and think carefully because this has served as a big lesson being that the people he helped turned back and stabbed him at the back,’’ Kazi said.
A Kano based businessman of Igbere extraction, Chief Kalu Ogbonnaya, also commended the Supreme Court for the judgment, saying; “in as much as the EFCC intends to re-arraign him, Kalu will still be free at the end.’’
Ogbonnaya, who described the arraignment as a ploy to destabilise him from contesting for the presidency in 2023, said; “It is the work of the enemy and a ploy to stop him from contesting in 2023, but I urge him to go ahead to contest.”
Similarly, former Chairman, Igbere Welfare Union, Abuja Branch, Elder Adiele Udeogu, said Kalu’s kinsmen would not relent in their support to enable him to accomplish his political ambition.
“We will always support him to enable him to forge ahead and render service to humanity.
“We are also happy that he is out of prison and not disturbed that the EFCC plans to re-arraign him,’’ Udeogu said. – NAN
