Court Adjourns Kalu’s N7.2b Fraud Case

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday adjourned until Dec. 5, judgment in a N7.2 billion fraud case against former Gov. Orji Kalu of Abia.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Kalu and a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Ude Udeogo and also charged along with Kalu is a company, Slok Nig. Ltd.

The judgement could not be delivered on Monday (Dec. 2) as earlier slated, as Justice Mohammed Idris was not available.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016, preferred a 34-count charge against the defendants, which was later increased to 39 counts.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts and were granted bail.
NAN reports that Idris, who tried the case, has been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

Following an accelerated hearing, Idris concluded trial in August while the reserved judgement is to be delivered on Dec. 5.

NAN reports that on Nov. 12, 2018, Kalu was absent for his trial, after being absent on a previously 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 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. (NAN)