One
of the newest members of the APC in the South-east was reported to have
exhibited unusual confidence in court over a case of N3.2billions
misappropriation of state funds.
Orji Uzor Kalu on suit as he left with his entourage
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday fixed March 6, 7, 8, 9 and
10 for trial of former Abia governor Orji Uzor Kalu charged with money
laundering, Punch reports.
According to controversial online news platform Sahara Reporters,
the accused smiled in confidence in court with the assurance that his
trial will be a sham after securing federal might by joining the ruling
All Progressives Congress.
As seen in some pictures taken outside the court room, the
influential politician and business mogul waved to his supporters
chanting his name.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on October 31,
preferred a 34-count money laundering against Kalu and his former
commissioner for finance, Ude Udeogo.
However, both accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges. The
resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, the Presiding Judge, Justice
Mohammed Idris, stood down the suit till 1 p.m for trial to allow a
decongestion of the court room.
Meanwhile, when the case was called the prosecution was
unavailable, and after waiting for a length of time, the court was
compelled to adjourn the case to a further date.
After adjournment, the Prosecutor, Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi, walked in
and craved the court’s indulgence for his delay as he was attending to
other matters.
After series of submissions, the court ruled that further trial is fixed for March 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
In the instant charge, the accused were alleged to have committed
the offence between August 2001 and October 2005. Kalu was alleged to
have utilised his company to retain in the account of a First Inland
Bank, now FCMB, the sum of N200m.
The sum is alleged to have formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.
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