Again, Orji Kalu’s Alleged N2.9bn Fraud Case Postponed

The trial of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, and two others over alleged fraud before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos was stalled on Tuesday due to the absence of the prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Fianancial Crimes Commission, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

The Former Abia Governor’s corruption trial was shifted from Sept. 11 to October 3rd but was postponed again by the Judge.

Kalu who is being prosecuted for a N2.9bn fraud, is facing 34 charges alongside Udeh Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited.

The case was meant to continue on Tuesday but Jacobs did not appear.

The defence counsel informed the judge that the prosecutor had already written to them, stating that he would not be in court.

Justice Idris, however, noted that Jacobs did not send any such letter to the court.

The judge expressed his displeasure at the development, noting that trial in criminal cases were meant to be day-to-day by virtue of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

The matter was, consequently, adjourned till November 8, 2017.

The EFCC, in the charges, alleged that while he was governor of Abia State, Kalu siphoned funds running into over N2.9bn from the state’s treasury.

The ex-governor was accused of diverting state funds into the account of Slok Nigeria Limited, a company, the EFCC claimed was owned by Kalu and his family members.