Court Adjourns Orji Kalu’s Trial
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday adjourned the trial of the former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu to January 22 and 23rd.
The Judge, Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the proceedings after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to produce one of its major witnesses in court.
Kalu is being tried on a 34-count-charge alongside one of his aides, Udeh Udeogu and his company, Slok Nigeria Limited for allegedly diverting the sum of N2.9bn from the coffers of the Abia State Government.
They have, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that the witness in question, one M.A. Udoh had been evasive, and the anti-graft agency was having difficulty bringing him to court.
Jacobs urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable him to locate and bring the witness, a retired employee of the Abia State Government House, Umuahia, to court to testify.
The defence counsel promptly opposed the move for an adjournment, describing it as frivolous.
In his ruling, Justice Idris described the development as unfortunate.
Idris noted that the case had been adjourned on four different occasions at the request of the prosecution.
Though he conceded to an adjournment, the judge warned that it would be the last of its kind.
He then fixed further proceedings for January 22 and 23rd.
