Orji Uzor-Kalu, former Governor, Abia State
The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the judgment that convicted and sentenced Orji Uzor-Kalu, the former governor of Abia State, to 12 years imprisonment and ordered a fresh trial.
In a seven-man panel of Justices led by Amina Augie, the apex court held that the trial Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court in Lagos acted without jurisdiction.
“Liman was no longer a judge of the Federal High Court as at the time he sat and delivered the judgement that convicted the defendants for allegedly stealing about N7.1 billion from Abia state treasury, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and former Director of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu,” a report by the News Agency of Nigeria quoted.
According to Supreme Court judgement, Justice Liman, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal before then, lacked the powers to return to sit as a High Court Judge.
“The Fiat that was issued to him by the Court of Appeal President pursuant to section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was unconstitutional.”
Recall that on Dec. 5, 2019, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Kalu, to 12 years’ imprisonment for N7.2 billion fraud and money laundering. (NAN)
