N7.6bn fraud: You’ve case to answer, court tells Kalu

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered a former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu to open his defence in the N7.6 billion fraud case leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Mohammed Idris gave the order in a ruling dismissing the no-case submission by the former governor’s defence team.
Kalu’s co-defendants in the alleged fraud case were also ordered to open their defence.
The judge however granted Kalu’s request to adjourned to September 10, 2018 in order to enable him undergo surgical operation.
Ruling on the no-case-submission, Justice Idris said certain documents tendered by EFCC in evidence against the former governor were compelling enough for him to offer explanation by way of defence.
Kalu is standing trial in a 39-count case of fraud alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited; and Ude Udeogu, who was the director of finance and accounts at the Abia state government house during Kalu’s tenure as governor.
The accused persons were first arraigned before Justice Idris on October 31, 2016.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EFCC opened its case, calling 19 witnesses and tendering scores of exhibits.
At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, the defendants filed a no-case submission, arguing that the EFCC failed to link them to any crime.
They also urged Justice Idris to dismiss the charges and set them free.
The judge, however, dismissed their submission in his ruling and ordered them to open their defence.
While calling on the accused persons to open their defence, the judge reminded the parties that he had to conclude the case by the end of September this year.
The prosecutor, Mr.
Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had earlier pleaded that the case be heard in the first week of September to enable the judge conclude the case by the end of September.
Uche, however, said it was not realistic, explaining that the six-week adjournment was to avoid a situation where the case would come up and Kalu would not be available.In a short ruling, Justice Idris said he was constrained to grant Uche’s request.
He adjourned the case till September 10 for the defendants to open their defence