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PT MAG AD Premium Times Friday, December 6, 2019 Abuja 21 Menu ANALYSIS: Orji Kalu: From Governor to Senator to Prisoner December 5, 2019Adejumo kabir Orji Uzor Kalu Orji Uzor Kalu Related News UPDATED: Court sentences Orji Kalu to 12 years in prison for fraud Nigerian senator Orji Kalu convicted of N7.65 billion fraud EFCC re-arraigns former Gov. Orji Kalu, others over alleged N3.2 billion fraud Judge's absence stalls Orji Kalu's corruption trial Another top Nigerian politician, accused of multi-billion Naira corruption, joins APC On Thursday, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced a serving senator and former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, to 12 years in prison after convicting him of N7.65 billion fraud. Justice Mohammed Idris pronounced Mr Kalu guilty of the charge in a trial that lasted for 12 years. Mr Kalu was tried alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Udeh Udeogu, who was Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during Mr Kalu’s tenure as governor. In this analysis, PREMIUM TIMES looks at the rise and fall of Mr Kalu who has been in politics since the return of democratic rule in 1999. The rise Born on April 21, 1960, the year Nigeria became independent, Mr Kalu was elected governor of Abia State in the 4th republic. He served two terms as governor of Abia State from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007, under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Prior to his election, he served as the chairman of the Borno Water Board and the chairman of the Cooperative and Commerce Bank Limited. Mr Kalu is the chairman of the Daily Sun, a Nigerian daily print newspaper published in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. The newspaper was incorporated on March 29, 2001, and began production as a weekly on January 18, 2003, and as a daily on June 16, 2003, while he was serving as governor. He also doubles as the chairman of the New Telegraph which targets domestic and foreign readers in major urban centres throughout the country and covers political, social, and cultural issues. These two newspapers emanated from SLOK Holding, a conglomerate that consists of a number of companies, including the Ojialex Furniture Company, SLOK Nigeria Limited, SLOK United Kingdom Limited, Adamawa Publishers Limited, SLOK Vegetable Oil, Aba, SLOK Paper Factory, Aba, SLOK United States Incorporated, SLOK Ghana, Togo, Cotonou, Guinea, South Africa, Liberia, Botswana, SLOK Korea, Supreme Oil Limited, SLOK Airlines, and First International Bank Limited. The Trial On July 11, 2007, Mr Kalu was arrested by EFCC on charges of corruption while serving as the governor of Abia State. He was later released on bail, and accused the Olusegun Obasanjo regime of persecuting him during and after his tenure in office, an accusation mentioned by former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell in his book, “Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink.” He faced prosecution alongside a former Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during Mr Kalu’s tenure, Ude Udeogo, and Mr Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited. Though he left office in 2007, in October 2016, EFCC renewed its prosecution and preferred 34 count charges against Mr Kalu. But he and Mr Udeogo pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail. The EFCC ultimately reactivated Mr Kalu’s case last year, filing amended graft charges of up to N7.7 billion against him. In November 2018, a judge frowned at Mr Kalu’s foreign travel without the permission of the court and the EFCC. Senatorial Bid The fact that he was standing corruption trial did not deter the former Abia governor from returning to Nigeria and successfully contesting a senatorial election. He had in 2015 lost his bid to be elected senator. But he returned in 2019. He won the Abia North senatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February 2019. Mr Kalu won with 30,580 votes while the closest opposition candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mao Ohuabunwa, recorded 21,940 votes. He later emerged as the Senate Chief whip. Mr Kalu is a staunch supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari. He once said the president is a “close friend and father, who deserves all the support to make Nigeria better.” The Fall After 12 years of standing trial, he was eventually sentenced to 12 years in prison on Thursday. In one of the counts against him, the EFCC alleged that Mr Kalu “did procure Slok Nigeria Limited – a company solely owned by you and members of your family – to retain in its account, domiciled with the then Inland Bank Plc, Apapa branch, Lagos, an aggregate sum of N7,197,871,208.7 on your behalf.” The prosecution claimed that the N7.1 billion “formed part of the funds illegally derived from the treasury of the Abia State Government and which was converted into several bank drafts before they were paid into the said company’s account.” The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said the ex-governor violated Section 17(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, and was liable to be punished under Section 16 of the same Act. Apart from the N7.1bn, which he was accused of laundering, the ex-governor and the other defendants were also accused of receiving a total of N460 million allegedly stolen from the Abia State Government treasury between July and December 2002. The prosecutor said they breached Section 427 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990. During the trial, the prosecution called 19 witnesses while the defendants testified on behalf of themselves. Mr Kalu was found guilty of all the 39-count charge filed against him by the EFCC. Mr Kalu, on Thursday. reportedly smiled at reporters and said, ‘2023, here we come’ as he was led out of the courtroom by Correctional Services officials after his sentencing. He later reportedly said: “Where are you taking us to now? Please don’t handcuff me. I will follow you.” WhatsAppFacebookTwitterEmailLinkedInPrintTelegramSkypeMore Advertisement PT Mag Campaign AD Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all. DONATE TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401... NEVER MISS A THING AGAIN! Subscribe to our newsletter * indicates required Email Address * DOWNLOAD THE PREMIUM TIMES MOBILE APP Now available on Premium Times Android mobile applicationPremium Times iOS mobile applicationPremium Times blackberry mobile applicationPremium Times windows mobile application All rights reserved. This material and any other material on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from PREMIUM TIMES. More in Headline Stories Omoyele Sowore UPDATED: SSS releases Sowore, Bakare, pays N100,000 fine Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; Photo: DailyPost Ganduje signs law creating new emirates in Kano The ongoing house of reps voting to elect new speaker House of Reps passes Nigeria’s 2020 budget Kano Assembly Kano Assembly passes law to create four new emirates UPDATED: What judge said about Orji Kalu’s corruption Nigeria Senate plenary Senate increases, passes 2020 budget Top News Chinyere Egwuonwu and Peter Sissons at the signing of the MoU UK signs MoU with Nigeria’s standards agency 10:09 am PU 008 WARD 04 UKWAJA Idah LGA kogi East. Total number of Reg voter: 630. Afolabi Omolara the INEC presiding officer said voting started 8 am. Asked if there were issues concerning the Card Readers. She said initially they had slight issues with it but after the machine was restated it began to work fine. INEC to conduct 28 rerun elections in January 2020 Donald Trump [Photo: BBC] U.S. lawmakers move ahead with articles to impeach Trump SUGGESTED NEWSMgid Drink This Daily And See 25kg Weight Loss Result In 2 Weeks Melt Stomach Fat In 2 Weeks When You Try This Lagos Wife Horrified After Husband Discovers Millionaire Secret So, I Earn $500 A Day! Lower Blood Pressure: See How To Lower Blood Pressure At Home Men, You Don't Need Viagra If You Do This Daily Search Our Stories Custom Search Advertisement ITFNigeria advert SAMS advert Heritage Advert SGF Advert Keystone advert NLNG advert NNPC Advert netherland biz school Advert 1st bank advert SEC advert Advertisement GLO Advert Advertisement Zenith Advert FCMB Advert POLARIS Advert Advertisement LeaksNG Advert UDEME Advert Paradise Papers Advert PEOPLERECENTPOPULAR Most Discussed BREAKING: Court sentences Orji Kalu to 12 years in prison for fraud 81 comments · 3 hours ago BREAKING: SSS releases Sowore, pays N100,000 fine 28 comments · 2 hours ago ANALYSIS: Orji Kalu: From Governor to Senator to Prisoner 24 comments · 1 hour ago What judge said about Orji Kalu’s corruption 18 comments · 7 hours ago Ganduje signs law creating new emirates in Kano 7 comments · 8 hours ago Advertisement Health Tracker advert Advertisement Download PT Android App PT Shortcodes Podcasts CLASSIFIEDS Classified advert Dino Classified advert Classified Ads Our Digital Network Election Centre Human Trafficking Investigation Centre for Investigative Journalism National Conference About Us Advert Rates Our Reporters/Writers Contact Us Resources List of Universities in Nigeria List of Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria Oil & Gas Facts Projects AGAHRIN Parliament Watch Data & Infographics All content is Copyrighted © 2019 The Premium Times, Nigeria. ![]() |
proeast:Congratulations, God bless your union. |
sofiscatedmoron:iyamiri, son of hate |
Stop cursing yourself and wish yourself good things. |
Fadomero:so shall it continues to be for you and your family, as for me, Nigeria is becoming a better place for me and my family. |
So bring a representative for UN na achievement We have thousands of her type scattered all over the world. Even kids younger than her[/quote]Hatred will kill you. |
Racoon:it's a good news for Nigerians, let DANGOTE refinery take over from them. |
Kill yourself na I just hate seeing this man called buhari as president.[/quote] |
Go and swallow rat poison. |
[quote author=Juicyjuice post=83395188] ![]() I just hate seeing this man called buhari as president. Go and swallow rat poison. |
xelly:Your brother with PhD, when he was the president, what was his achievements other than the propagation of corruption and impunity. |
FamousMonk:So shall it be for you very soon. |
fergie001:Does this looks like a lecture theater of FUTO STANDARD, THIS IS PURELY A FALLACY. |
fergie001: |
nairafamedotcom: |
TooMuchStuff:You are senseless, you are a religion bigot, that's how your ipob members built churches in the north and other parts of the country, Mediocre. |
Davash222: |
Breakingfamous:Isn't that good? I could remember when this year edition of BBNAIJA started, some people raised their voices against the immorality and waywardness displaying by the housemates on this show, it's on this Nairaland platform where commenters were calling for their heads. |
silverbirdng:Atiku is confused, He was once claimed to have won the election according to results from INEC server, it's now wrong computation. ��� |
traihit:your reaction clearly portrayed you as a religion bigotry, not every Muslims are terrorist as you have been told by your pastor and the media. Islam condemned those engaging in killings, as we have extremist among Muslim, so they have them in other religion, stop being insensitive about other religions, your statement is capable of trigger religion crisis. |
isram:. It's because you can't see beyond your nose and you have been brainwashed. |
Reno Omokri Says Yorubas Are the Bravest Ethnic Group In Nigeria Reno Omokri Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has taken to his Twitter handle to reply to those saying that Yorubas are cowards who would be the first to flee if war breaks out. Reacting via a series of tweets, Omokri highlighted four times the Yorubas have proved to Nigerians that they are actually brave. As highlighted by him below: “Murtala Mohammed was defeated by Biafrans at Abagana and lost over 4,000 soldiers. He had to be airlifted by helicopter. These are facts you can verify via research. It was 2 Yoruba men who won the war for Nigeria. Benjamin Adekunle and Olusegun Obasanjo. “I marvel at those who ignorantly say Yorubas are cowards. In Nigeria’s history, only 2 men have returned from abroad to voluntarily face almost certain death or prison. Tunde Idiagbon (Yoruba Fulani) in 1985, and Olusegun Obasanjo in 1995. It took great guts. “MKO Abiola was a MULTIMILLIONAIRE in US dollars. Yet, when Abacha offered him freedom on the condition that he forgo his mandate, he REFUSED. He chose to remain in jail and live like a PAUPER. And you ignorantly open your mouth and say Yorubas are cowards? “Was Gani Fawehinmi not Yoruba? Which Nigerian living or dead can say he is or was braver than him? Or Fela Kuti? Or Tai Solarin? I think some people mistake strategy for cowardice. You don’t win by outfighting your enemy. You win by outsmarting your enemies. My take: Omokri has done well to put the record straight, but he forgot to mention Col. Adekunle Fajuyi who allowed himself to be killed in Ibadan instead of his guest to be killed in his presence. Which other tribe can do it even in the whole of Africa, let alone in Nigeria? |
Adewale623:
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zoba88:
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Charleys:just imagine rubbish coming out of your mouth |
unday Aborisade, Abuja The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, announced the list of principal officers sent to him by the leadership of the All Progressives Party and the Peoples Democratic Party. Lawan, at the resumption of plenary, named Senator Abdullahi Yahaya as Senate Leader and Ajayi Boroffice as his deputy. Based on the list, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was named as Chief Whip and Senator Sabi Abdullahi as the deputy Similarly, the Senate President announced Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe as the Minority Leader and Phillip Aduda as Minority Whip. He also named Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the Deputy Leader and Senator Shabi Yau as the Deputy Whip. READ ALSO: Barea blunder: I’m not a robot, insists Balogun The lawmakers would form the Body of Principal Officers also known as Selection Committee. They are expected to assign senators to committees based on interest earlier shown by them. In their separate acceptance speeches, Yahaya and Abaribe promised to discharge their duties effectively. Details |
- Nollywood actress Regina Daniels’ husband, Ned Nwoko, has acquired a new private jet - Daniels shared photos of herself in the airplane on social media - The young actress congratulated her husband on his new acquisition Young Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, is definitely one who knows how to live the baby girl life to the fullest. Since she got into a relationship with 59-year-old billionaire politician, Ned Nwoko, the actress has been able to have the most luxurious things money can buy. Just recently, Nwoko acquired a new private jet and his young wife has shared photos of the machine on social media. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Nigeria The obviously excited Regina shared several photos of herself posing inside the aircraft as she captioned the photos: “Congrats mi amor”. She was obviously celebrating with her husband on his mew acquisition. READ ALSO: Regina Daniels and husband Ned Nwoko give couple goals in new video See her post below: Lovely. Congrats to the Nwokos. Just recently, Legit.ng reported that Ned Nwoko bought a magazine with Regina's face on the front page from a street vendor and he paid with a dollar note. READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (formerly NAIJ.com) HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Can you marry an older lady or a younger man? | Legit TV SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET NEWS EVERY DAY FROM LEGIT.NG your@email.com |
6' POLITICS Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Omo-Agege, others to receive N32.83bn welcome package Published June 30, 2019 Everest Amaefule, Sunday Aborisade and Leke Baiyewu President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan; his deputy, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Speaker, Mr Ahmed Idris, and 465 other lawmakers are set to receive at least N32.83bn as welcome package, investigation has shown. It was learnt that the lawmakers start receiving the money from Monday. A member of the federal legislature management confirmed the development to one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity on Saturday. He said, “We have not started the disbursement of what you people called ‘welcome package’ but the honourable members and the senators should start receiving their money from next (this) week because we have done our part.” The management of the assembly could not comment on the issue on Saturday as the phone calls made to the Director of Information, Rawlings Agada, did not connect. He had also yet to reply the text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report. The welcome package comprises annual accommodation allowance, furniture allowance, and motor vehicle loan. It will also include the salaries and allowances of the lawmakers for the first month and the running or overhead cost for the first three months. There was indication that the running cost might have been enhanced as each member of the House of Representatives might receive as much as N70m. Although it could not be ascertained what a senator would receive, traditionally, senators are paid higher than the House of Representatives members. If a Rep receives N70m, a senator may receive up to N10m. However, N32.83m is the summation of N70m into 469 places which is the total number of lawmakers at the federal level. READ ALSO: I can’t justify airline seat wrongly picked —Soyinka A source at the National Assembly confirmed to one of our correspondents that each Rep would receive N70m while another source confirmed that a senator would receive at least N70m. The summation of the annual accommodation allowance, furniture allowance, and motor vehicle loan for either a senator or Rep is lower than N70m, thus indicating that the unofficial emoluments of the lawmakers may have been enhanced. A senator collects N40.5m (for three months) for overhead as revealed by Senator Shehu Sani in the 8th National Assembly. The monthly salary and regular allowances of a senator is N1, 063,860. As prescribed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, a senator is entitled to N4,052,800 for accommodation (once a year) and a furniture allowance of N6,079,200 (once in four years). Should a senator desire, they are entitled to N8, 105,600 as motor vehicle loan. These sum up to N59, 801,460. A member of the House of Representatives, on the other hand, receives N30m a quarter for overhead or running cost. They are also entitled to a monthly salary and a regular allowance of N794, 086.83. The accommodation allowance of a Rep is N3, 970,425 per annum while the furniture allowance is N5, 955,637 (for four years). Should a Rep desire, they can get a motor vehicle loan of N7, 940,850.50. These sum up to N48, 660,999.83. The lawmakers are expected to rent apartments since the estate meant for them at the Apo legislative quarters has been sold. A member of the Senate ad hoc committee on welfare, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on the issue wondered why the media had placed “too much emphasis” on the issue. He said, “The media branded the allowances, ‘welcome package’ as if they are illegal, whereas there is a law backing it.” He added, “The law which established payment of allowances to newly appointed or elected public office holders is not new and it cuts across the three arms of government.” Lawan and Gbajabiamila had set up ad hoc committees in both chambers to work with the National Assembly management to ensure the lawmakers were ready to resume work on Tuesday. Confirming the allowances and the scheduled payment, members of the parliament told one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity that the payment was supposed to have been paid earlier than now. A member of the House of Representatives said, “The allowances should be paid before resumption. As a new member, you are given furniture and accommodation allowances; these will total over N9m. They will give you the money and it is left for you to get a house or stay in a hotel, nobody will be housed anywhere.” The source added, “We have not collected anything. Up till now, I have not got one naira. I’m broke now and I’m looking for money.” A senator also said they had not been paid. Another lawmaker said, “After payment of the furniture and accommodation allowances, car loans will come later, but we need to settle down first, that is why accommodation and furniture will be paid ahead of resumption. “The car loan is about N7m. It’s different from the official car that will come later. The loan is just like an advance payment of our annual transport allowance.” |
4' NEWS Magu came to beg me for confirmation, Saraki tells CJ Published June 30, 2019 Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja Former Senate President Bukola Saraki says the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, visited him in 2016 and begged him to ensure that he was confirmed by the Senate. Saraki added that he explained to Magu that the Department of State Services had written a letter to the upper chamber of the National Assembly accusing the EFCC boss of corruption and being unfit to hold the office and thus should not be confirmed. The former Senate President said this in a letter addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati. Saraki’s letter was written in response to a previous letter written by the EFCC to the chief judge. The EFCC in a letter sent to Abdu-Kafarati, on May 21, accused Justice Taiwo Taiwo of being biased against it. |
Ostrogoth: zoedew: Adewale623:see how he opened his wide mouth and talking nonsense.You people are well known as hardened criminals both locally and internationally. |
BREAKING: Police Dismiss Inspector For ‘Shooting And Killing Kolade Johnson’. https://www.channelstv.com/2019/04/04/breaking-police-dismiss-inspector-for-shooting-and-killing-kolade-johnson/ |
Criminal minded people, that name even sound evil. |

