The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the release
of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu from the Kuje Correctional Centre in
Abuja.
Justice Mohammed Liman ordered Senator Kalu’s release on Tuesday
morning after listening to an application filed by the former
governor.
Senator Kalu, a two-term former governor of Abia State, had
urged the court to set aside his conviction on December 5, 2019, by
Justice Mohammed Idris.
He explained that this became necessary since the Supreme Court,
in its verdict delivered on May 8, 2020, held that Justice Idris
gave the judgment without jurisdiction.
Kalu was to serve 12 years in prison, after he was convicted of
N7.1bn fraud alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, and a former
Director of Finance at the Abia State Government House, Jones
Udeogu.
The Supreme Court had ruled that since Justice Idris was
elevated to the Court of Appeal, he had no jurisdiction to have
concluded Kalu’s trial.
The apex court, therefore, nullified the conviction and ordered
a retrial.
Developing story
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the release
of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu from the Kuje Correctional Centre in
Abuja.
Justice Mohammed Liman ordered Senator Kalu’s release on Tuesday
morning after listening to an application filed by the former
governor.
Senator Kalu, a two-term former governor of Abia State, had
urged the court to set aside his conviction on December 5, 2019, by
Justice Mohammed Idris.
He explained that this became necessary since the Supreme Court,
in its verdict delivered on May 8, 2020, held that Justice Idris
gave the judgment without jurisdiction.
Kalu was to serve 12 years in prison, after he was convicted of
N7.1bn fraud alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, and a former
Director of Finance at the Abia State Government House, Jones
Udeogu.
The Supreme Court had ruled that since Justice Idris was
elevated to the Court of Appeal, he had no jurisdiction to have
concluded Kalu’s trial.
The apex court, therefore, nullified the conviction and ordered
a retrial.
Developing story