Alleged N7.2bn fraud: Court awaits fresh instructions to continue Kalu’s trial

Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos on
Wednesday said that the court would await further directives to
proceed with the trial of a former Governor of Abia State, Orji
Kalu, facing charges of N7.2 billion fraud.

Kalu, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress was
alleged to have committed the offence between August 2001 and
October 2005.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Kalu
together with his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo, and
a company, Slok Nigeria Ltd., for the alleged offences.

On October 31, 2016, the EFCC preferred 34 charges, bordering on
N3.2 billion fraud against the accused.

The charges were, however, amended and increased to 39
counts.

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Kalu and the others had each pleaded not guilty to the charges
and were granted bail.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Justice Idris, who has
been sitting as a trial judge in the criminal charge against Kalu,
has been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

He had, however, been conducting the trial in the case,
following a fiat, authorising him to continue with the trial.

At the last adjourned date on November 12, 2018, Kalu was absent
from trial, after being absent on a previous adjourned date of
November 5, 2018.

Although the defence counsel had informed the court that he was
away for medical treatment in Germany, the court had revoked his
bail and ordered that at the point of his entry into the country,
he must submit himself and all relevant travelling documents to the
EFCC, failing which he would be arrested.

The court had then adjourned the case until January 23, for the
continuation of the trial.

On Wednesday, the Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), appearing
for the prosecution, informed the court that in spite of its order,
the accused had refused to submit himself or his travelling
documents to the EFCC.

He argued that such attitude constituted a clear disregard for
the court, adding that in the circumstance, he would urge the court
to give effect to the provisions of Section 352(4) of the ACJA and
continue with the trial of the accused even in his absence.

According to Jacobs, the court should order defence to call its
witnesses, failing which the court is allowed by the provisions of
the law, to close their case.

Responding, Counsel for the accused, Mr. Awa Kalu (SAN),
expressed his displeasure with the submissions of the prosecution,
noting that such arguments as canvassed by Jacobs should be put in
an affidavit for the defence to reply.

The court, however, in its reaction, informed parties that
although the case had been adjourned for the continuation of the
trial, the fiat issued by the presiding judge of the appellate
court expired at the end of November 2018.

He said that on January 10, he had received fresh fiat in
respect of some other matters before him, adding that the case in
point was not mentioned.

Idris said that for this reason, he had strong doubt if he
should continue with proceedings, adding that it was important he
acted with abundant caution.

“I should not proceed further, otherwise, I will be acting
without authority. So, in the circumstance, I am of the view that
further proceedings shouldn’t go on until I receive further
instructions,” he said.

The court added that as soon as such notice was received,
hearing notices would be served on counsel.

(NAN)