Alleged N7.1b Fraud: Judge Refuses EFCC’s Application To Adjourn Kalu’s Trial Sine Die

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital, has refused an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to adjourn the trial of former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu sine die.

BIGPENNGR.COM reports that this came after EFFC asked for the transfer of former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu’s case file from the Abuja division of the federal high court to that of Lagos.

Recall that the chief whip of the senate, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment in December 2019 after he was convicted of diverting N7.1 billion from the coffers of Abia state during his time as governor.

However, the supreme court voided the trial after an appeal filed by Kalu’s co-defendant.

The supreme court nullified the trial on the grounds that Mohammed Idris, the trial judge, had no jurisdiction to hear the matter after he was elevated to the court of appeal.

The apex court ordered that the case be issued to another judge for a fresh trial.

The re-arraignment of the former governor was fixed for Tuesday before Inyang Ekwo, a federal high court judge.

Advertisement

At the court session, Chine Okoroma, counsel for the EFCC, informed the court of a pending letter before the chief judge asking for the transfer of the case to Lagos.

Okoroma said none of the offences took place in Abuja and that the supreme court has held that the case cannot be heard in the FCT.

He asked the court to adjourn the matter sine die, pending a reply from the chief judge.

Ruling on the application, Ekwo held: “Even without your application, the matter cannot go on.

“But I cannot adjourn the matter sine die. There must be a specific date for report,” he said.

The judge adjourned the case till June 7 for feedback.

Advertisement