UPDATED: Orji Kalu Bags 12 Years In Jail Over N7.1bn Fraud

A former Governor of Abia State and now serving Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, who was charged with N7.1bn fraud has been convicted.

The conviction was given by the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday.

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Justice Mohammed Idris sentenced Kalu to 12 years’ imprisonment while he ordered the winding up of Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, charged as third defendant in the case.

He was found guilty along with his company, Slok of all 39 counts. While Ude Udeogu, who served under Kalu as Director of Finance and Accounts was found guilty of 34

The court had on Monday, December 2 adjourned the judgement till Friday due to the absence of Justice Mohammed Idris.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Oct. 31, 2016, preferred a 34-count charge against the defendants.

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The charge was later increased to 39 counts.

The defendants, however pleaded not guilty to all the counts, and were granted bail.

Idris, who tried the case has been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

He consequently conducted and concluded the trial by fiat.

Following accelerated hearing, Idris concluded trial in August.

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On Oct. 22, both the prosecution and defence counsel adopted their written submissions before the court.

The judge then reserved judgement to be delivered on Dec. 5.

Recall that on Nov. 12, 2018, Kalu was absent for his trial, after being absent on a previous adjourned date – Nov. 5, 2018.

Although, defence counsel informed the court that he was away for medical treatment in Germany, the court revoked his bail, and ordered that at his return to Nigeria, he must submit himself and his travel documents to the EFCC, or be arrested.

In the charge, the EFCC said that the defendants committed the alleged offences between August 2001 and October 2005.

It said that Kalu utilised his company’s account to retain N200 million in First Inland bank (now First City Monument Bank).

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The commission claimed that the sum formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.

In one of the counts, Kalu’s company (Slok Nig. Ltd.) and one Emeka Abone said to be at large, were alleged to have retained in the company’s account, the sum of N200 million on behalf of the ex-governor.

In counts one to 10, the defendants were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion belonging to the Abia.

The EFCC said that the defendants diverted over N7.2 billion from Abia government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as the governor, in contravention of Sections 15(6), 16 and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005.

The commission said that the offences also contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended.

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