BY LEVI JOHNSON
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has faulted the Supreme Court for setting aside the judgement that convicted and sentenced former Governor of Abia of State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to 12-year imprisonment.
The EFCC who spoke through its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Dele Oyewale said: “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 is considered as illegal.
The Supreme Court on Friday nullified 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.
He “The EFCC considers the judgment of the apex court as quite unfortunate, adding, It is a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor.”
While describing the judgment as an unfortunate and a technical ambush, it vowed to pursue a quick retrial for Mr Orji Uzor Kalu.
The EFCC said: “The Commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidence against Kalu and others is overwhelming.
” The corruption charges against Kalu still subsist because the Supreme Court did not acquit him of them.
“The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course.”
