Orji Kalu may go back to prison as EFCC launches fresh battle.
By Molade Adegbuyi
For the former Governor of Abia State, Uzo Orji Kalu, it is not yet Uhuru.
Kalu was released by the Supreme Court on Saturday after five months in prison.
The former Governorwas released from prison by the order of the Supreme Court.
Kalu had issued a statement praising the Court’s decision.
But in a statement on Saturday,the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) described the judgement as unfortunate ,saying that it will launch a fresh legal fire works against Kalu, a strong indication that the former Governor is not yet totally free.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, on Friday,which was made available to Irohinoodua described the judgment as “unfortunate” and that it was ready to commence a fresh trial immediately.
The statement read: “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.