Anietie Udobit, Abuja
A Non-Governmental Organization, The Global Centre for Conscious
Living against Corruption has called for Justice in the 12 years trial of
former governor of Abia state, Chief Orj Uzor- kalu over alleged N7.6 billion
corruption charge leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crime
Commission (EFCC).
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Director General of the organization, Dr Nwambu Gabriel made
the call while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday November 28, 2019.
According to him, the group has noted with dismay the
desperate attempts by the former governor to frustrate his trial, and delay
judicial proceedings.
The group said, “The former governor had in one of his
failed attempts to scuttle his trial told Nigerians that he was admitted in
German hospital for a surgery only for the same man to participate actively in
one of the APC mega rallies in Abia before the last general election early this
year.
“This was after he had filed a no case submission before
federal High court sitting in Lagos. The trial judge Justice Mohammed Idris had
since quashed the no case submission.
“The court in its ruling insisted that Chief Orji Uzor Kalu
has a case to answer in the N7.6billion fraud case
“We are glad the court had fixed December 2, 2019 for judgment,
we salute the courage of the court to have brushed aside the notorious antics
of the former governor and his obvious bid to scuttle his trial here.
“As Nigerians, we are not only excited about the December 2
date for judgement, but we insist here that justice should be seen to have been
done in the end in the N7.6billion fraud case against Kalu.”
The group also frowned at the continuous parading and claim
by Orji Uzor that president Buhari had adopted him as a national APC leader for
South East, and flooding of his presidential campaign posters on streets of
Abuja ahead of 2023.
“He may have had his way at the electoral Appeal panel but
on the N7.6billion fraud. Anything short of justice here may not be in the
interest of the judiciary and other lovers of democracy. Nobody should be seen
as a sacred cow here even though he parades himself as one today”.
It will be recall that the former governor is standing trial
alongside his former commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo, and a company, Slok
Nigeria Limited, on an amended 39-count charge of money laundering to the tune
of N7.6 billion, and the Court has fixed December 2 for Judgement.
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