Orji Uzor Kalu: Bail revoked

Akin Kuponiyi

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division,south west Nigeria has adjourned till 7th February, 2019, to hear an appeal filed by the former Governor,of Abia state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, against the ruling of of a Federal High Court in Lagos dismissing his no case submission against an alleged money laundering charge prefered against him and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court will also on the same date hear separate appeals filed by Kalu’s co-accused, Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited, in similar circumstance.
The presiding Appellate court judge, Justice Garuba Lawal, fixed the date after listening to submissions of appellants’ lawyers; S. E. Elema (SAN), Solo Akuma (SAN) and K. C. Nwofo(SAN), regarding the transmission of record of appeal. The EFCC was represented at thew proceedings by Adebisi Adeniyi.

Justice Mohammed Idris presiding over a Federal high court had on 31st July, 2018, held that Kalu has some explanations to make particularly on certain documents tendered by the EFCC as exhibits in evidence against him.

The judge said: “I am of the view that the defendants have some explanations to make in the light of the exhibits and the evidence so far led. Again, I will say no more. The no-case submission is dismissed”.

Dissatisfied, Kalu filed a notice of appeal dated 1st August, 2018, asking that the lower court’s verdict be overturned.