A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday has adjourned the judgement of N7.2 billion fraud case against former Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia till December 5.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Kalu, a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Ude Udeogo and a company, Slok Nigeria Limited on fraud and money laundering charges.
The judgement was not delivered on Monday as earlier slated because Justice Mohammed Idris was not available.
The defendants were arraigned by the EFCC on a 39-count charge of fraud and money laundering.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts, and were granted bail.
Mr Idris, who tried the case, was promoted to the Court of Appeal.
He consequently conducted and concluded the trial by fiat.
Following accelerated hearing, Mr Idris concluded the trial in August.
On October 22, both the prosecution and defence counsel adopted their written submissions before the court.
The judge then reserved judgement now to be delivered on Dec. 5.
NAN reports that on Nov. 12, 2018, Mr Kalu was absent for his trial, after being absent on a previous adjourned date – Nov. 5, 2018.
Although the defence counsel informed the court that he was away for medical treatment in Germany, the court revoked his bail, and ordered that at his return to Nigeria, he must submit himself and his travel documents to the EFCC, or be arrested.
In the charge, the EFCC said that the defendants committed the alleged offences between August 2001 and October 2005 when he was governor.
It said that Mr Kalu utilised his company’s account to retain N200 million in First Inland bank (now First City Monument Bank).
The commission said the sum formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.
In one of the counts, Mr Kalu’s company (Slok Nig. Ltd.) and Emeka Abone said to be at large, were alleged to have retained in the company’s account, the sum of N200 million on behalf of the ex-governor.
In counts one to 10, the defendants were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion belonging to the Abia.
The EFCC said that the defendants diverted over N7.2 billion from Abia government’s treasury during Mr Kalu’s tenure as the governor, in contravention of Sections 15(6), 16 and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005.
The commission said that the offences also contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended.
(NAN)
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