BREAKING: EFCC Set For Fresh , Immediate Re-Trial Of Sen. Orji Kalu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, said it has commenced fresh and immediate retrial of the case involving Orji Kalu and one other.

This is coming barely hours the supreme Court declared the former governor of Abia State, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account of Abia State Government free.

The Supreme Court had earlier nullified the judgment which convicted the serving senator.

Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Ude Udeogo were arrested and jailed for diverting N7.6 billion belonging to the state government during their time in office.

The Anti-graft agency in a statement via its Facebook page described the verdict by the apex court as unfortunate adding that the corruption charges against Kalu still subsist because the Supreme Court did not acquit them.

“The attention of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the judgment of the Supreme Court nullifying the trial of a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu , his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account of Abia State Government and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court.

“The apex court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu and others had been elevated to the Court of Appeal before the judgment and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgment which it considered as illegal.

“The EFCC considers the judgment of the apex court as quite unfortunate . It is a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor. The Commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming.

“The corruption charges against Kalu still subsist because the Supreme Court did not acquit him of them. The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course.”it stated.