* EFCC mobilises for fresh trial



The  Economic And Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC has reacted to the Supreme Court judgment which reversed the 12 years prison sentence of former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, describing it as unfortunate and a technical ambush

"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 EFCC stated in a statement signed by its Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale,

Excerpts from the statement read: "The attention of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  has been drawn to the judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying the trial of a former governor of Abia State,  Orji Kalu ,  his firm,  Slok Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account of Abia State Government and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court. 

"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