A former governor of Abia state, now a senator in the national assembly has been found guilty of fraud by a court.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, who was charged with N7.1bn fraud, according to a report by Punch.  

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Kalu and a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Ude Udeogo for fraud.   They also charged Kalu alongside his company, Slok Nig. Ltd.   In the charge brought against the defendants, the EFCC alleged that they 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).   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 N7.1 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.   More details later…