The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are on the back of former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu for money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds in excess of N5 billion.
Former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu
The Federal Government on Wednesday reopened the trial of former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu.
On July 27, 2007, Kalu was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 107-count charge of money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds in excess of N5 billion.
However, matters were stalled after he approached the Court of Appeal to set aside the ruling of the Federal High Court that he had a case to answer.
The appellate court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit and gave the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the nod to prosecute him, a decision he later appealed at the Supreme Court.
Now, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) wants to continue the trial of the former governor and had earlier written to the Federal High Court, Abuja, to get a fresh hearing date on the case which started in 2007.
In response to the letter from the Office of the AGF, the court listed the case for mention on Wednesday.
When the case reopened on Wednesday, the prosecution was represented in court by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), while the defence had no representation.