Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos today sentenced the senate chief whip and former governor of Abia State, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu to 12 years in jail for embezzling public funds totaling N7.1 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the fraud charges against Kalu in 2007.
On October 31, 2016, the anti-graft agency preferred a 34-count charge bordering on N3.2 billion fraud against the accused.
However, it amended the charges on July 16, 2018 to 39 counts with the sum increased to N7.65 billion.
In one of the counts, the EFCC alleged that Kalu, who was Abia State governor between 1999 and 2007, “did procure Slok Nigeria Limited – a company solely owned by you and members of your family – to retain in its account , domiciled with the then Inland Bank Plc , Apapa branch , Lagos , an aggregate sum of N7,197,871,208 .7 on your behalf. ”
The prosecution claimed that the N7.1bn “formed part of the funds illegally derived from the treasury of the Abia State Government and which was converted into several bank drafts before they were paid into the company’s account.”
Kalu was sentenced alongside his former director of finance and accounts at Abia State Government House, Mr. Udeh Udeogu.
While Udeogu was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, the judge ordered the winding up of a third defendant, Slok Nigeria Limited and its assets forfeited to the federal government.
Delivering his judgement, the judge convicted and sentenced the former governor to five years imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; three years on counts 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33; 12 years on counts 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 and five years on count 39.
He said the sentences shall run concurrently, meaning that Kalu will spend 12 years in jail.
The judge found Udeogu guilty of 11 out of the 16 counts in which his name featured.
He was pronounced not guilty on five counts. On each of counts 23-25 and 27-32, Udeogu was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
On each of counts 34-38, he was sentenced to 10 years and five years on count 39.
Justice Idris the sentences would run concurrently, meaning that Udeogu will spend 10 years in jail.
For the third defendant, Slok Nigeria Limited, the judge said it should be wound up and all its assets forfeited to the federal government.
“I hold the view that the prosecution has established its case against the defendants; it did not fall short of the standard required by law in money laundering offences. It is clear upon the facts before this court that the prosecution had this case conclusively investigated before opting to bring this charge against the defendants. In other words, the prosecution did an in-depth and conclusive investigation.
“In totality, I, sincerely, cannot find my way clear in finding these defendants not guilty of the offences charged. Having reviewed all that has been provided by the prosecution in terms of oral and documentary evidence, I am inclined to resolve the singular issue for determination in favour of the prosecution herein,” said the judge in his ruling.
