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Just In: Former Governor, Orji Kalu released from prison -EFCC wants immediate retrial

Published

4 years ago

2020/05/08

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed Senator Orji Kalu, whose conviction and 12-imprisonment for stealing N7.1bn from Abia State treasury was quashed by the Supreme Court on Friday, will face immediate retrial.

NewsWireNGR reported that the Supreme Court ordered retrial of the case on the ground that Justice Mohammed Liman was no longer a Judge in the Federal High Court at the time he handled the case.

Orji Kalu, a Nigerian senator who was jailed for allegedly stealing public funds, has been released from custody.

PREMIUM TIMES is reporting that Mr Kalu, a former Abia State governor, was freed from the Nigerian correctional facility in Kuje, Abuja, on Friday morning, two sources familiar with the development said.

He has now moved to his residence off Queen Amina Street within the perimeter of Aso Rock Presidential Villa, sources said. The sources spoke under anonymity because they were close to Mr Orji and did not get immediate permission from him to disclose his release to the press.

Mr Kalu’s release came moments after the Supreme Court voided his conviction in December 2019 in a multi-billion naira corruption trial.

Mr Kalu had been accused of pilfering and mismanaging funds belonging to Abia State during his days as governor between 1999 and 2007. He pleaded not guilty and appealed his conviction by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

A seven-member panel of the apex court, in a unanimous verdict delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko, declared that the conviction null and void, Channels TV reported Friday.