Orji Uzor Kalu |
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has condemned
the indefinite adjournment of the trial of former Governor of Abia
State, Orji Uzor Kalu by a Federal High Court Justice sitting in Lagos.
The group said Kalu must not escape trial because he joined the
ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, adding that there was a hidden
agenda to ensure the former governor was given soft landing.
CACOL said this in a statement made available to DAILY POST by its
Media and Publications Officer, Ikenna Aghagbobi, on behalf of the
Centre’s Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran on Friday.
CACOL said, “We recall our recent demand for a speedy trial of the
former Governor’s N7.65b fraud case, which has already lasted over 11
years. This new development has confirmed our fears that indeed there
may be a hidden agenda to ensure the former Governor escapes the long
arm of the law especially because he has joined the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC).
“We recall that despite the gravity of the charges levelled against
him, Kalu was recently granted permission to travel abroad for medical
attention while other corruption suspects facing lighter charges were
denied the same privilege.
“It has also been observed that Orji Kalu and his team of lawyers
long ago mastered the act of frustrating the judicial system through the
application of various schemes and antics to ensure that his case gets
stalled or forgotten since they do not have enough evidence to debunk
the fraud allegations”.
“We suspect that since the Judge presiding over Kalu’s case was
recently elevated to the Court of Appeal, the matter might get stalled
till a new judge is appointed. Even when a new judge is appointed, he
must start the case afresh thereby further elongating the duration this
case has lasted. There is no doubt that this would end up further
ridiculing the judiciary”.
“Our prayer is that the case must not be transferred to a new judge
but instead left with Justice Muhammed Idris even as a judge of the
appellate court.
“We, therefore, demand that the EFCC’s prosecution counsel applies
for a fresh fiat to enable Justice Idris conclude this controversial
case which is about to drag on without end.”
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