ORJI KALU
The planned re-arraignment of former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja was yesterday stalled due to a pending appeal before the Supreme Court.
The Federal Government had filed an amended charge reducing the counts of the initial charge from 107 to 32 counts. Listed as 2nd and 3rd defendants alongside Kalu are; Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited. Kalu was, however, represented by Chief Awa Kalu (SAN).
When the case was called yesterday, counsel to the third defendant, Chief Solo Akuma (SAN) drew the attention of the court to the pending appeal by his client, Slok Nigeria Limited before the Supreme Court, which has not been heard.
He further informed the court that briefs in the appeal have been filed and exchanged, but no hearing date has been fixed for the appeal. Akuma also submitted that the appellant had applied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and the Director of Litigation of the Supreme Court for a hearing date.
“In the circumstances, we hereby apply for an adjournment to enable us sort out the appeal,” he stated.
Responding, prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, confirmed the pendency of the appeal before the Supreme Court.
He, however, informed the court that the prosecution had filed an amended charge and served on the defendants.
The trial judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere, later adjourned till June 30 for mention. In the charge, Kalu was alleged to have, while being the Governor of Abia State in 2003, procured Slok Nigeria Limited to retain its account domiciled with the First Inland Bank Plc., Apapa branch, Lagos, the sum of N200 million and that the sum formed part of the funds illegally derived from the treasury of Abia State government through Standard Trust Bank, now UBA.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2003 and punishable under section 16 of the same act.