Protests over Kalu’s detention
By CHUKS ONUOHA, Umuahia
Monday, July 16, 2007

Thousands of placard-carrying protesters took to the streets and major roads enmasse in different parts of Abia, chanting solidarity songs as they demand immediate release of former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

Former Governor Kalu, they said, was arrested on spurious reasons of alleged money laundering and diversion of funds.
While some were protesting in their hamlets and villages, others headed straight to the Government House, Umuahia where they tendered their grievances before the governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji.

Speaking on behalf of his own group, Prince Felix Ogbonna, who hails from Ukwa area of the state, called for immediate release of the former governor who, he said, does not deserve such embarrassment.
"Tell Yar’Adua that we are also Niger Delta people and can still do something if we are pushed to the wall.

“Since he has said that he is forming a government of national unity, he should not allow anything that will divert his vision for the people of Nigeria. He should order EFCC to release Orji Kalu without delay," Ogbonna said.
Prince Ngozi William, spokesman of another group, said that they were in Government House to protest peacefully against the detention of Kalu and call for his immediate release.
"We say no to intimidation and harassment of innocent citizens. If the governor had committed the alleged offence, we are the ones that should have reported him, but in this case, he is innocent and should not be kept a minute longer in detention."

Others who made the same call included Chief Dickson Nwosu, Transition Chairman; Chairman of Umuahia North, Prince Dan Kalu, T. C., Chairman of Arochukwu LGA, Madam Love Alaezi from Bende LGA, and Chief Uche Akwukwuegbu, from Abia Central.
Nwosu said Kalu’s arrest was not only illegal, but a spite on the Igbo race. Also, Alaezi said the architect of Kalu’s travail were jealous of his popularity while Akwukwegbu described him as a man of the people.

Some of the placards they carried read: "We don’t want selective justice, EFCC, release our son Orji Kalu now; Federal Government, free our leader, we say no to intimidation; OUK has no case to answer, EFCC is agent of PDP,” etc.

Speaking to the protesting groups, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Kalu, said government had noted their grievances. "The government of the past is not government of today. We are sure that the government of Umaru Yar’Adua is a sensitive one that listens to the yearning of the people, we are sure that they will do something very soon. The governor said you should pursue your grievances peacefully.
“Please be calm in your demands because Kalu is a peaceful man," the CPS advised.

Nigeria is a very funny country. if the man was never arrested, they will say he must be OBJ friend, now he is arrested and they are protesting .Kai

This news only appeared in the Sun, Orji Kalu's newspaper. What else do you expect

Trust me even if it happened they are a few rented crowd, true sons of Abia who traverse the death traps in the name of roads in Aba will not match on the same road to protest for anyone.

How did they even protest? did they have their trousers folded to avoid being wet by erosion.

I think say Orji been dey make gra-gra for Ribadu, May 29 don pass him they hope make the same people wey him loot their money protest his release.

Only a misguided bunch can engage on such venture.

I'm not sure how he will escape prison, 71 count is a serious offence to beat.

They are wasting their breath! He will only be released if he is found innocent of the charges against him.

What is wrong with Nigerian.Are they protesting that Kalu is innocent or what? That he didn´t loot while he was the governor of Abia state?Any body protesting should be taken to see a doctor.The guy is a common thief and he should be send to prison without any further delay.

I'm an Igbo woman.
Let them pepper him if he's found guilty.
These people have taken away my inheritance and those of my kids.

My dear father who faithfully served in civil service is still owed arrears of pension while Orji and his fellow robbers were robbing us blind.
Let them show them no mercy.
Let the law take full effect.
Ole.

Infact those protesters should be captured and flogged

babyosisi how can the rub your kids and you and your kids are in USA. just my observation, lol

It all comes back to[b] "a corrupt system and a very dirty culture"[/b]

Mamajama:

babyosisi how can the rub your kids and you and your kids are in USA. just my observation, lol

The robbery of her inheritance is probably the reason why she and her kids feel the need to remain in the states

please her children are not even Nigerians, they are AKATA boys, lets stop comparing home grown kids to aje butter like BIGGy

well my children (by faith) may not be Nigerians by birth but I'm Nigerian,that makes them Nigerians.
I hope Orji Kalu has started talking.
If not they need to pepper him literally and get him to speak

Thousands of placard-carrying protesters took to the streets and major roads enmasse in different parts of Abia, chanting solidarity songs as they demand immediate release of former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

<snip>

Just wondering - why can' they mobilize the same number of people to clear the refuse heaps that is almost burying
Abia state - Aba to be specific?

my brother I wonder o.
The police should hand the protesters shovels and dump trucks and put them to real work

Exactly! That would be fantastic. As they are so jobless, lets make them useful to society

lol nice one iyke-D

"Tell Yar’Adua that we are also Niger Delta people and can still do something if we are pushed to the wall.

is abia in the niger delta ?

I'm sure they mean that they can carry machine guns and kidnap people too

Hopefully Kalu opens his loudmouth and expose all of these ex-Governors, Odili, Ibori and Igbinedion to be precise!

I think they should tie this criminals to a stake from city to city and let the masses give them a piece of their minds.

Donzman:

Hopefully Kalu opens his loudmouth and expose all of these ex-Governors, Odili, Ibori and Igbinedion to be precise!

I say AMEN to this

if igbinedion is left alone without being persecuted, then i will know all these probing is a mere lie and conspiracy in the part of pdp and efcc

uhm GOD SAVE US, THOSE THAT LEFT EMPTY TREASURIES SHOULD BE ARRESTED AND PROBED

Sure. Abia is in the Niger Delta, together with Imo. But Ijaw people have now what they call core-[/b]Niger Delta where they have imaginarily excluded the above two states just because they are [b]Ibo (sic)

Abia, Niger delta? yee, well ilorin is also Naija delta lol

even if he is guilty, it won't take him more than 6 months in jail and then he is free again and before you know it, he is contesting for presidential post again

@honeric

the matter of Lucky Igbinedion is simple. There is no need setting trap for the bush meat that is securely in the cage.

Lucky is so dull and stole so blatantly that in the next 100 there will be excessive evidence of what he stole.

Please I suggest right now, they go after governors like Orji Kalu who can within 2 years, completely launder all the money they stole and make it look legal.

denex:

@honeric

the matter of Lucky Igbinedion is simple. There is no need setting trap for the bush meat that is securely in the cage.

Lucky is so dull and stole so blatantly that in the next 100 there will be excessive evidence of what he stole.

Please I suggest right now, they go after governors like Orji Kalu who can within 2 years, completely launder all the money they stole and make it look legal.

Very true. I hear he has returned a lot though

denex how do you know Lucky stole beside all the stuff we all reading from the media? do you know how much he has in his account or how many houses or wifes he had? people lets be careful when dealing with peoples character. Lets give everyone benefit of a doubt, let them go to court and exonerate themselves.

So Orji kalu is now the latest thief in town enh?. What about Obasanjo who left office covered in riches and blood, Anenih who wasted 300bilion of tax payers money in Objs 2nd term, Andy Uba who bettered himself to the tune of 1.3 trilion in declared assets or should we talk about peter odili who "dashed" the EFCC 50 billion from his proceeds in his states "pot of soup"? Until all these people are arrested to take their place in the dock with kalu and co, until then I will continue to support kalu in his travails. Away with selective justice. Nothing is as horrible as a righteous thief!! Almost all if not all the former governors collected meat from their state's "pot of soup"

@Mamajama

unfortunately, I was in Benin for about 7 of the 8 years that Lucky was governor. Do you know how much of state money was used to annually celebrate his father's birthday?

It is terrible. Just forget about Lucky. I mean do you know how much of state money was paid to Bob Izua as protection fees. How much was pumped into Igbinedion University.

Abeg just fashy Lucky.

denex:

@Mamajama

unfortunately, I was in Benin for about 7 of the 8 years that Lucky was governor. Do you know how much of state money was used to annually celebrate his father's birthday?

It is terrible. Just forget about Lucky. I mean do you know how much of state money was paid to Bob Izua as protection fees. How much was pumped into Igbinedion University.

Abeg just fashy Lucky.

The next we will hear is that their family was rich b4 Lucky became governor. My question then will be how come we didnt see them living this life style b4 now?

angel101 what are you talking about , didnt his dad own the 1st private airline in Nigeria back then? OKADA AIRLIne
didnt Lucky go to school in London, not sure if they are as rich now is another question