EFCC Begins Marking of Orji Uzor-Kalu’s Properties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have begun to mark properties belonging to former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor-Kalu.

According to the antigraft agency, this is being done to ensure that the properties are not dissipated, following the December 5, 2019 order of Justice Muhammed Idris sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The judge ruled that Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, be wound up and all assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

READ: ‘Please Don’t Handcuff Me, I Will Follow You’, Shaken Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor-Kalu Begs Prison Warders

Kalu, who is the current lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District had been arraigned alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeh Udeogu, his Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House, over an amended 39-count charge bordering on conspiring and diverting the sum of N7.65bn from the coffers of the state, which they pleaded not guilty, thereby leading to their full trial.

They were subsequently prosecuted after calling 19 witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court.

The defendants, however, testified on behalf of themselves during the trial.

After adopting their final written addresses on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, the prosecution counsel, Jacobs in his final submission, urged the judge to jail the defendants, saying the prosecution had proved the allegations against them.

he also prayed that the court to wind up the company as provided by the Law and all its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

The defence counsel, however, urged the court to “dismiss the charges, acquit and discharge” their clients.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Idris found the defendants guilty on all counts. He also held that the prosecution had established its case against the defendants.

According to him, “the case was conclusively investigated, as the prosecution conducted thorough investigations.”

He, therefore, ruled by convicting and sentencing the first defendant, Kalu to five years imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; three years on counts 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32,
33; 12 years on counts 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 and five years on count 39.

READ: N7.6bn Fraud: Court Finds Former Abia Governor, Orji Uzor-Kalu Guilty

The second defendant was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment on counts 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32 and 10 years on counts 34, 37, 38 and 39.

“In respect of the third convict, Slok Nigeria Limited, an order is hereby made that the company shall hereupon and without further assurances, but for this order, be wound up and all its assets and properties forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Justice Idris further held.

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