Former Governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu was today arraigned by the EFCC over a number of charges bordering on corruption at the Federal High Court.
Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu is alleged to have procured Slok Nigeria Limited while serving as Governor of Abia State, to retain its account domiciled with a commercial bank in the sum of 200 million Naira. The charges also alleged that the sum formed part of funds illegally derived from the treasury of Abia State government through another commercial bank.
The trial was stalled when Justice Anuli Chickere said she could not go on with the case when an aspect of the matter was still pending at the Supreme Court. Slok Airlines, which also belongs to Mr Kalu, has an appeal pending at the apex court.
During proceedings, counsel to Slok Nigeria Limited, Mr Solomon Akuma, drew the attention of the court to the pending appeal by his client, Slok Nigeria Limited, before the Supreme Court which had not been heard.
Justice Chikere adjourned the case to June 30.
The Supreme Court on March 18 gave the EFCC a ‘go-ahead’ to prosecute the former Governor.
The charge predicated on alleged complicity of the former Governor in money laundering and illegal diversion of public funds of about 5.6 billion Naira. The accused was alleged to have perpetuated the fraud between 1999 and 2007 while he was the Governor of Abia State.