By Ovie Okpare
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has reacted to the Supreme Court judgement voiding the conviction of former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, saying his trail will commence immediately.
EFCC stated this on Friday in a statement by its Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, in reaction to the judgement vacating the lower court’s judgement convicting the lawmaker for alleged fraud while serving as a governor of Abia.
Supreme Court earlier on Friday upturned Kalu’s conviction and ordered a fresh trial.
The apex court in a unanimous decision said the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, was not competent to hear Kanu’s case since he had been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
But in its reaction, EFCC said it was ready to commence the trial of former governor immediately.
The statement said, “The apex court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu and others had been elevated to the Court of Appeal before the judgment and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgment which it considered as illegal.
“The EFCC considers the judgment of the apex court as quite unfortunate. It is a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor. The commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming.
“The corruption charges against Kalu still subsist because the Supreme Court did not acquit him of them.
The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course.”
