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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction (21686 Views)
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EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by oshozondii: 3:39pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Convicted Senator and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, on Tuesday prayed a Federal High Court in Lagos to grant him bail from the Ikoyi Custodial Centre pending determination of an appeal against his conviction. Justice Mohammed Idris had convicted Kalu and sentenced him to a concurrent jail term of 12 years for N7.2 billion fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Kalu together with a former Commissioner for Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogo, and Kalu’s company, Slok Nig. Ltd. They were charged on an amended 39 counts of fraud. The trial, which started in 2007, recorded some set backs but eventually ended in October 2019 when parties in the suit adopted written submissions. On Dec. 5, the judge found all the three defendants guilty. He found Kalu and Slok Nig. Ltd. guilty of all the 39 counts of the charge, and convicted Udeogo on 34 counts. Justice Idris sentenced Udeogo to a concurrent 10 years’ jail term and ordered that Slok Nig. Ltd. should be wound up and all its assets forfeited to the Federal Government. On Tuesday, Kalu’s counsel, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) informed the court of a bail application he filed on behalf of the former governor, seeking to be released on bail pending the outcome of his appeal against the judgement. He told the court that the application was premised on 23 grounds and supported by a 38-paragraph affidavit. Fagbemi added that after receiving the counter-affidavit filed by prosecution, he filed a 34-paragraph further affidavit with one exhibit attached. Fagbemi also drew the court’s attention to a notice of appeal against Kalu’s conviction, and relied on the provisions of Sections 241 of the Constitution in urging the court to grant the bail. “If there is a right of appeal, then there is a corresponding right of bail pending appeal,” he said. Citing Sections 6 of the Constitution, Fagbemi argued that the court had the powers to entertain such an application since post-judgement jurisdiction were anchored on the section. He said that the bail would enable Kalu to attend to his health as well as return to the National Assembly to carry out service to the nation. However, EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), opposed the bail application. “Although bail is generally a right of an accused as guaranteed by the Constitution, it is not a right available to a convict because the presumption of innocence had crystallised into guilt and conviction,” he said. According to Jacobs, an application for bail pending appeal is sparingly granted. He said that such a bail could be granted in a situation where the term of imprisonment would have elapsed before determination of the appeal. He argued that was not the situation with Kalu’s case. On Kalu’s health condition, Jacobs said that there was no recent medical report to show his state of health, arguing that the medical report tendered in his case was done more than a year ago. Jacobs added that the request by Kalu to be released on bail so as to seek traditional medicine was not tenable, as visitors were allowed into the custodial centre. “He says he needs his herbalist to treat him but he has not said that his herbalist came to the prison and was not allowed to see him. “In one breath, the applicant is saying that he wants to be released on health grounds while in another breath, he is saying that as a senator, he needs to be released on bail so as to carry out his official functions,” he said. Citing the case of Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Joshua Dariye, he argued that the Nigerian criminal jurisprudence was robust enough to handle appeal and dispense with same within a reasonable time. Besides, he argued that the medical facilities at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre were capable of handling Kalu’s medical condition. Liman adjourned the case until Dec. 23 for ruling on the bail application. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016, preferred a 34-count charge bordering on N3.2 billion fraud against the convicts. The charge was, however, on July 16, 2018, amended and increased to 39 counts with the sum increased to N7.2 billion. EFCC had charged Kalu with using Slok Nig. Ltd. to retain N200 million in the First Inland Bank (now FCMB). The commission said that the sum formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government. In one of the counts, EFCC said that Slok Nig. Ltd. and one Emeka Abone, who is said to be at large, retained N200 million in the company’s account on behalf of Kalu. In counts one to 10, the commission said that the convicts retained in different bank accounts, about N2.5 billion belonging to the Abia Government. It said that the convicts diverted cumulatively over N7.2 billion from the Abia treasury during Kalu’s tenure as the governor, in contravention of Sections 15(6), 16 and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005, Money Laundering Act of 1995 as amended by Act No.9 of 2002, and Section 477 of the Criminal Code Act of 1990. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/efcc-opposition-orji-plea-for-bail-after-conviction.html 1 Like 1 Share
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Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Charleys: 3:39pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
From a ban to an FTC. na so I go take hammer one day. Now I want Orji Uzor Kalu to be punished for all the suffering he has put Abia state through. I've been to Abia and it can't be compared to other states. Their governor ikpeazu is suffering due to what this Kalu stole back in the day The only business in the state capital is Keke, but people told me I need to visit Aba, why? I thought umuahia was the state capital . 34 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Racoon(m): 3:42pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Imagine the silly excuses Orji Uzor Kalu is making here. Herbalist treatment? Seems his village people wants to seal his fate some more. 14 Likes 1 Share |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by voltron14: 3:47pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Although bail is generally a right of an accused as guaranteed by the Constitution, it is not a right available to a convict because the presumption of innocence had crystallised into guilt and conviction,” he said 22 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by agwom(m): 3:48pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Davash222(m): 3:49pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
voltron14:A convict has no right!!! 21 Likes 1 Share |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by voltron14: 3:55pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Davash222: I didn't suggest otherwise. 6 Likes |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Conceptman: 4:47pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Bail ko ball ni. If you can enjoy stealing and looting then you should be able to enjoy prison 12 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by lonelydora: 4:47pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
The only problem I have with this Orji Uzor Kalu's case is, why will he forfeit the property to FG instead of Abia State. It's good they jailed him. 4 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Cti28(m): 4:47pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
O |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by themonk(m): 4:47pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Davash222:Only right to appeal I guess. 6 Likes |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by qualityovenbake(m): 4:48pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Kalu should enjoy his loot in prison. |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Sunofgod(m): 4:48pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Free Kalu! |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by themonk(m): 4:48pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
ManishSamuel:You have no opinion yourself? |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Decolonel(m): 4:49pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
If this man finally comes out of this conviction, it is for us to know that there's no hope in the Nigerian judicial system. Let justice prevail irrespective of who is found guilty 10 Likes |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Rawtruth1: 4:49pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Let him rot in jail. He stole Abia state blind and left it completely devastated. All infrastructures failed under him 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Richdad50(m): 4:50pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by sevo(m): 4:51pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Thief....u collect our money in good health, now to face the time... You dey form sick....sick kee you dere 21 Likes
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Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Darteyyyy(m): 4:51pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Check out Naija Students No 1 local classifieds. https://www.stuff4students.com/ It's like a Konga for students to sell to each other in school and students in other schools around them. |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Oildichotomy(m): 4:52pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
He is trying to ask for which bail? Like why |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by State001: 4:53pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
"Opposition" indeed 7 Likes 1 Share
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Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Dozie32(m): 4:53pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Hmm, Naija na scam, so they wanna free this thief, because he's a billionaire?? 1 Like |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Pavore9: 4:53pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
He said that the bail would enable Kalu to attend to his health as well as return to the National Assembly to carry out service to the nation......What a joke! 7 Likes |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Nobody: 4:54pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Sunofgod: Your kind who support corruption even when the fellow is convicted to be guilty needs to be sacrificed for this country to become prosperous. 6 Likes |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by AfonjaBoston: 4:54pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Flagrant abuse of court processes and violation of the criminal justice code 1 Like |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by lampard8888: 4:54pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
And how long before dey caves in.. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by sureheaven(m): 4:55pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
The only favor orji Kalu will have is having his jail term reduced to 8 years. He should not be hurry, more of his colleagues will soon join him so he won't be lonely. 7 Likes |
Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by solmusdesigns: 4:56pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
yamree yamree Airpeace next.. Nigeria Airways loading 24.3% when they run their mouth you think they have backup.. but one shot na yakata them go fall .. 2 Likes 3 Shares
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Re: EFCC opposes Orji Kalu's plea for bail after conviction by Caleb17: 5:00pm On Dec 17, 2019 |
Orgi Kalu should be careful before he lands himself into more mess. Major General Muhammadu Buhari is not Good luck Ebele Jonathan. 3 Likes |
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