Court Decides On Ex-Abia Governor Kalu’s Retrial September 20

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned Ex-Abia Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu matter tentatively to September 20 for judgment after the parties have adopted their processes.

Court Decides On Ex-Abia Governor Kalu’s Retrial September 20
Orji Uzor Kalu

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, July 2, 2021, fixed September 20 to give judgment in the suit by a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, seeking to stop his retrial over alleged N1.7 billion fraud.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter tentatively to September 20 for judgment after the parties have adopted their processes.

Kalu’s counsel, Awa Kalu SAN, told the court that his client had already been tried, convicted, and imprisoned.

Relying on Section 36(9) of the Constitution, he argued that it would amount to double jeopardy for Kalu to be tried the second time.

Thus, he prayed the court to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from going ahead with the trial.

The EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

Jacobs argued that the Supreme Court had nullified the judgment that led to the release of the former governor and also ordered the retrial of Udeh Jones.

EFCC argued that since Kalu benefitted from the Supreme Court’s order, he should also bear the burden of the order

The court adjourned to September 20 for judgment, stating that it was only a tentative date as the judgment could come up earlier if the judgment is ready.

Justice Ekwo also stated that parties will receive hearing notice if the date changes.

Shortly after the suit was adjourned, the Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, was seen conversing with the EFCC at the court premises.