The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, December 14, 2019, has commenced the invention of ex-governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu properties for forfeiture to the Federal Government in fulfilment of the terms of court sentence passed on the former governor.
According to the EFCC, it is to begin marking properties belonging to him in order to recover the N7.65 billion stolen from Abia State treasury.
The marking is to ensure that the properties are not dissipated, following the December 5, 2019 order of Justice Muhammed Idris sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos that Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, be wound up and all assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: The Real Owners of Airpeace revealed, Why the EFCC is hounding Mr. Allen Onyeama, Others
Kalu, who is the Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly, had been arraigned alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeh Udeogu, his Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House, over an amended 39-count charge bordering on conspiring and diverting the sum of N7.65bn from the coffers of the state.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu: properties now being seized by EFCC to atone for the N7.65b taken from Abia treasury.
READ ALSO: EFCC Seize Air Peace Boss, Onyema Passport Over Money Laundering Allegations
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC, thereby leading to their full trial.
In the course of the trial, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, called 19 witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court.
The defendants, however, testified on behalf of themselves during the trial.
The parties, during the proceedings on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, adopted their final written addresses.
READ ALSO: BREAKING – UPDATE: IBB Reacts To His Rumoured Death – SEE FULL STATEMENT
In his final submission, the prosecution counsel, Jacobs, urged the judge to jail the defendants, saying the prosecution had proved the allegations against them.
Jacobs also urged the court to wind up the company as provided by the Law and all its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
However, the defence counsel urged the court to “dismiss the charges, acquit and discharge” their clients.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Idris found the defendants guilty on all counts.
READ ALSO: DELONIFERA TV Taking African Culture, Nollywood To Next Level For Global Recognition
Justice Idris held that the prosecution had established its case against the defendants.
The Judge further held that “the case was conclusively investigated, as the prosecution conducted thorough investigations.”
www.sojworldnews.com (c) December 15, 2019
Leave a Reply