The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as Nigerians on Twitter, have reacted to the Supreme Court’s nullification of the conviction of a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu.
On Friday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria nullified the judgment which convicted Orji Uzor Kalu and Ude Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account at the Abia State Government House to 12 and 10 years imprisonment, respectively. The apex court ordered their fresh trial at a lower court.
Reacting to the news, EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale in a statement said that the court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu and Ude Udeogu had been elevated to the Court of Appeal before the judgment and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgement which is considered illegal.
While stressing that the evidences against Kalu and others were overwhelming, Oyewale said the Commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate retrial.
The statement reads;
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.
Also, some Nigerians took to Twitter on Friday to express dismay over the Supreme courts’ decision on the matter.
A Twitter user, Onu’kwube who tweets with the handle @RayNkah said:
When the law is “alive”, it is the fortress of the “common man”, when it is “dead”, it becomes helpless like clay to the Potter. In other words, it can be baked into nothingness. I think this is where we are today with the Supreme Court decision in Orji Uzor Kalu.
Another Twitter user, Ada Mbanefo, who tweets with the handle @chyagsx said:
Orji Uzor Kalu is nothing but a symbol of a failed system. An evidence of how corrupt this nation is. It is clear that Mr integrity is dishonest in all ways. Let’s make a toast 🥂 To our PAYG judiciary, your proceedings will get to your houses.
See more reactions below:
Orji Uzor Kalu’s case looks like a time bound case. I thought Court sittings have been suspended except for time bound cases? Election Tribunal sef no go fit fast reach this one. Nigeria we hail thee pic.twitter.com/hrcg1Z61YI
— Miyen (@miyen_akeke) May 8, 2020
Orji uzor kalu, chief judge and efcc after splitting them racks pic.twitter.com/jY9jZZS2GJ
— poltergeist (@paperandliquor) May 8, 2020
When the law is “alive”, it is the fortress of the “common man”, when it is “dead”, it becomes helpless like clay to the Potter.
In other words, it can be baked into nothingness.
I think this is where we are today with the Supreme Court decision in Orji Uzor Kalu.
— ONU’KWUBE (@RayNkah) May 8, 2020
@Orji Uzor Kalu should go and thank #Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu for he fight on his behalf.#Mazi Nnamdi Kanu fought a good fight for you.
— Okeynwa Biafra (@OkeynwaB) May 8, 2020
@LadiSpeaks you said Orji Uzor Kalu is the strongest Igbo politician.
Please, if like to know how this is possible and how you came to this conclusion.
— Ogechukwu Onye Life (@kingsleynovich) May 8, 2020
Orji Uzor Kalu is nothing but a symbol of a failed system.
An evidence of how corrupt this nation is.
It is clear that Mr integrity is dishonest in all ways.
Let’s make a toast 🥂
To our PAYG judiciary, your proceedings will get to your houses.
— Ada Mbanefo (@chyagsx) May 8, 2020
The Orji Kalu reprieve is clear example that judicial reform by needs to go beyond legislation. Root and branch approach needed, deep reform of Crim Justice System including prisons is imperative now#SupremeCourt #OrjiUzorKalu
— Baz Idi (@AbbasIdiong) May 8, 2020
Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari & the Supreme Court under Mohammed Tanko is on Auto_Cruise, #YahooProMax cruise!
Orji Uzor Kalu was acquitted on technicalities, thereby sabotaging all the work, resources & manpower used in prosecuting his case.
Worrisome Precedents!
— Mazi @FestusGreen 🇳🇬 (@FestusGreen) May 8, 2020
The supreme court claimed that d judge who convicted senator orji was already an appeal court judge. I kind of reasoned with the supreme court’s unanimous decision based on this fact. They still ordered a retrial in federal high court which will likely go in favour of EFCC
— okoronkwo chibuzor (@buzor18) May 8, 2020
A retrial would take another decade.
As it ia now, Orji Uzor Kalu is now a free man! https://t.co/m3B2NmL7lD
— Mazi @FestusGreen 🇳🇬 (@FestusGreen) May 8, 2020
Our friend, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has regained his freedom and now a free man. Is the freedom temporary? Let us pray! Happy new year, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu
— Asabe Afrika (@Asabeafrika) May 8, 2020
Orji uzor kalu is out🤬
Fuck Nigerian— king👑kunta🦍 (@Lord_stiga) May 8, 2020
Now that Orji Uzor Kalu is out, he must understand that he’s out today is because of the pressure from @MaziNnamdiKanu Few days ago in his broadcast he warned the zoo government to release Orji Uzor and Olisa Metuh. Orji Uzor must now chose which God to worship! @Amaka_Ekwo pic.twitter.com/fmgYWu7lLX
— NnamdiKanu’s_FanClub (@NnamdiFans) May 8, 2020
For those that are non lawyers.For those dat wil attach emotions to d Judgment of the SC in the Orji Uzor Kalu’s case. The Supreme Court didn’t comment on the offense upon which he was convicted. They only voided the process followed by the Judge that handed him d conviction
— Barrister Mo (@EveshoMoses) May 8, 2020
Orji Uzor Kalu should even be angry with the supreme Court judgement.
It doesn’t favor him either.
Starting all over again after he might have served some months, (maybe yrs) of the initial sentencing. pic.twitter.com/HBx0L0kLMf— UO🔥 (@usenoliver) May 8, 2020
