BREAKING!!! EFCC Loses Bid to Dock Orji Kalu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday lost out in its bid to compel a former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, to enter into the witness box and explain his role on an alleged fraud charge initiated against him and two others at a Federal High Court in Lagos.



IGBERE TV correspondent at the court reports that Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN) had at the resumed hearing of the matter on Friday indicated the readiness of his client to open his defence from outside the box contrary to the EFCC’s insistence that Kalu would be cross-examined while giving evidence-in-chief.

This, the Senior Advocate added that the former governor woul not be open to cross-examination by the prosecution in line with the dictates of Section 358 (1) (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. He said his request was predicated on the fundamental principle of criminal law for all defendants anchoring on presumption of innocence. “Section 358 (1) (a) is not a donation from the court to the first defendant but a statutory provision. A man who can refuse to talk can also refuse to be cross-examined. “Once a defendant charged with a criminal offence opt to testify from where he is, he is only exercising his rights that flows from the Constitution. The first defendant carries no burden but it is the prosecution that is carrying the burden of prove beyond reasonable doubt”, the silk said.

IGBERE TV reports that other defence lawyers, Chief Solo Akuma (SAN) and Mr. K. C. Nwofor (SAN) were in support of the position.

However, in his opposition, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said the ACJA does not regulate evidence in court. He further argued that since the first defendant (Kalu) was represented by a legal practitioner in court, he cannot take advantage of the options available for him in Section 358 of ACJA.

“The examination of the witness must be in accordance with the Evidence Act because it regulates how proceedings should go on in court. If a witness is not cross-examined, his evidence cannot be used in court”, he said.

However, in a Bench ruling, Justice Idris held that the first defendant is absolutely at liberty to choose from any of the options available under Section 358 of ACJA. Justice Idris further disclosed that the options in the Section are available to the first defendant whether or not he has legal representation. After citing the provisions of Section 358 of ACJA, the judge said

“In the circumstances of this case, where a defendant choses the options under Section 358 (a) of ACJA as the first defendant has done in this case, the first defendant is not given evidence. “Making a statement is different from giving evidence. A person who gives evidence from the witness box after been sworn-in can also make a statement from wherever he stands. Both options are available to the defendant in any criminal trial.

“If the first defendant has decided to make a statement only, then he will not be cross-examined. He will only be cross-examined where he choses to give evidence”.
After the ruling, Kalu’s lawyer sought for an adjournment for him to decide on the best option to be adopted by his client in putting forward his case. Though the EFCC’s lawyer was initially opposed to the request, he later agreed after some talks with the defence lawyers. Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned to 26th September, 2018.

Source : http://igberetvnews.com/461926/breaking-efcc-loses-bid-dock-orji-kalu/

why would the EFCC want him to testify when someone had given the EFCC bosses a mouth watering offer in his backyard??

later now, if some thing happens, all of us and all of them will be crying buhari, buhari, while we refuse to see the real hypocrites.

Nigeria my country.

Where up is down and down is up

Even Fayose case them no go see him back...

It's same everywhere. Good and quality lawyers will always trump prosecutors.

If you watch American series like Billions and Power you would understand. I just wish the Efcc will be slow and steady in gathering facts then have an airtight case before going to court to avoid embarrassing their lawyers if not this war will be fought on pages of newspaper alone and they loose in the court room where it matters most

OUK is a smart poliTRICIAN. He is a skilled dancer who keeps changing his dancing step as the music tone changes

All na arrangee.They APC & EFCC fully knows the game they are playing.

EFCC always bundle cases that involved secret cows who are above the law. They are not fighting any corruption.

BUHARIISCURSED:
Even Fayose case them no go see him back...

EFCC and DSS reading your joke comments right now

f

Afolabi is a Custard.

If you understand what i mean.

Justice Idris was fair to both sides, the silk I guess lacked preparation as most do in courts and only ride on the ego of their title. You said he does not want to give evidence in the box but can make a statement and the Justice has agreed but tactically telling you the weight of that is of no relevance in this case as even a news reporter can make a statement in the court from the door where he stands; then the silk became confused on the way forward as to what his choices are. Hehehe, see how they ride their clients into the unknown. Now he needs time to go decide what choice to take. Yet the news reports it that EFCC failed? Common guys! Either way his choices are limited from where i stand. My point when you engage these lawyers and silks also engage a consultant to evaluate their preparedness as I see how they drain these clients and barely prepared each day in court. I wonder do they understand its human lives or just careless