Alleged N7.1 billion fraud: Appeal court strikes out EFCC’s suit seeking Orji Kalu’s retrial

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has struck out the bid by the Federal Government to commence fresh prosecution of former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu in the N7.6B fraud and money laundering brought against him.

Channels TV reports that in a judgment delivered today March 6. Justice Joseph Oyewole held that the record of appeal brought by the federal government was incompetent and unreliable for any court to use to grant the request of the government. The presiding judge added that the record of appeal was not compiled, signed and certified by any person known to law.

He added that the name of the person who compiled, signed and certified the record was not reflected as required by law.

A Federal High Court had on December 5, 2019, jailed the former governor now a senator representing Abia North, for 12 years for stealing the huge sums from the Treasury of Abia State while he was Governor of Abia State.

The Judgment of the High Court was however voided and set aside by the Supreme Court on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris who delivered it was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal having been elevated.

The Supreme Court judgment delivered by Justice Ejembi Ekwo held that Justice Mohammed Idris cannot operate as a Federal High Judge and Justice of the Court of Appeal at the same.

He subsequently ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to give the trial to another Judge for a fresh trial.

Kalu however, went back to the Federal High Court and obtained an order prohibiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC from initiating fresh prosecution of the former governor.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo who issued the prohibition order against EFCC said that Orji Uzor Kalu was not expressly stated in the judgment of the Supreme Court.

The Federal Government’s appeal against the decision of the High Court was dismissed for the failure to produce proper records of proceedings of the High Court.