Orji Kalu: Recall Of Jailed Senator To Commence Soon – Ike

Citizens of Abia North senatorial district would soon commence the process for the recall of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who was recently sentenced to 12 years in prison for N7.65 billion fraud.

This was according to a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Charles Ike.

Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on December 5, 2019, delivered the judgment in a 12-year-old trial.

The senator was accused of diverting the said sum from the coffers of the Abia State government while serving as governor of the state from 1999 to 2007.

Ike said efforts were being made to initiate the process for Kalu’s recall.

The PDP stalwart, who spoke to journalists in Umuahia on Saturday, also charged the Senate leadership to declare the Abia federal lawmaker’s seat vacant.

“I hereby call on the Senate leadership to quickly declare Kalu’s seat vacant to enable the district to elect a capable replacement,” said Ike.

Although Kalu has appealed the High Court verdict, Ike said his continued incarceration left Abia north without a voice in the Senate.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed 39 counts amended charge against Kalu before the said court.

One of EFCC’s charges against Kalu said the ex-governor, “did procure Slok Nigeria Limited – a company solely owned by you and members of your family – to retain in its account, domiciled with the then Inland Bank Plc, Apapa branch, Lagos, an aggregate sum of N7,197,871,208.7 on your behalf.”

According to the anti-graft agency, the 7.1 billion, “formed part of the funds illegally derived from the treasury of the Abia State Government and which was converted into several bank drafts before they were paid into the said company’s account.”