EFCC arraigns Orji Uzor Kalu over Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Orji Uzor Kalu, a businessman and former governor of Abia before a Federal High Court in Lagos on allegations of fraud.

Punch writes that Orji Uzor Kalu, his company, Slok Nigeria Limited and several others had been initially arraigned before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja (now retired).

They are standing trial on an amended 34-count charge over the alleged diversion of about N3.2bn from the Abia State Government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007.

They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Orji Uzor Kalu’s trial which first began in 2007, stalled when Justice Anuli Chikere said she could not go on with the case as an aspect of the matter was still pending at the Supreme Court. Slok Airlines had an appeal pending at the apex court at the time.

The Supreme Court however on March 18 gave the EFCC a ‘go-ahead’ to prosecute the former Governor.

The court adjourned the case till Dec. 6 for commencement of trial.