The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has lamented the judgment of the Apex court of Nigeria which voided the trial of a former governor of Abia state, Orji Kalu, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account of Abia State Government and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court.
A press statement issued by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity of the Commission on Friday described the verdict as quite unfortunate.
Adding that the judgment is a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor.
The Commission which said its attention has been drawn to the judgment of the Supreme Court on the former Abia state governor noted that it is ready for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming.
It said that the supreme court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu and others had been elevated to the Court of Appeal before the judgment and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgment which it considered as illegal.
“The corruption charges against Kalu still subsist, because the Supreme Court did not acquit him of them”, EFCC said.
The Commission explained that the entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course.
