A seven-man panel of the apex court also set aside the judgment which convicted Ude Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account at the Abia State Government House.

The Supreme Court gave the judgement on Friday, more than one year after both men were convicted of corruption allegations levelled against them by the Federal Government.

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos had sentenced Senator Kalu to 12 years imprisonment in his judgement delivered on April 24, 2019.

He had also sentenced Mr Udeogu to 10 years imprisonment on the same day.

Displeased with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Kalu and Udeogu filed an appeal to challenge their sentencing at the Supreme Court.

The apex court, in a unanimous verdict on the appeal delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko, declared that the conviction of the appellants was null and void.

Justice Eko explained that the declaration was on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal, as at the time he delivered the judgment sentencing the appellants.

He held that a Justice of the Court of Appeal cannot operate as a judge of the Federal High Court.

The apex court, therefore, ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case for trial.

Shobowalebola:
The Supreme Court sitting in Abuja on Friday unanimously overturned the conviction of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in the “N7. 65 billion” fraud.

Recall that Senator Kalu was convicted and sentenced to 12 years for allegedly defrauding the government of Abia State where he was a governor for 8 years using his company, Slok Nigeria Limited.

However, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in his suit challenged the jurisdiction of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court chaired by Justice Mohammed Idris who delivered the sentence .

Kalu argued that Court of Appeal Judge who delivered the judgement at the Federal High Court to convict him lacked the power to do so.

Despite the objections raised by Senator kalu’s counsels , the appeal court judge proceeded with the case at the high Court and sentenced Senator Kalu.

The supreme court in its judgment declared that the judgement of the court of appeal delivered is hereby set aside . The court ruled that justice Idris having already being elevated to the appeal court lacked the power to sentence Kalu.

Read more on

https://premiumreportersonline.com/2020/05/08/breaking-orji-kalu-wins-as-supreme-court-overturns-conviction/

Tissaia:
Awesome! They tried to humiliate him but when it's comes to scheme of things, like in politics we know better

Tissaia:
Awesome! They tried to humiliate him but when it's comes to scheme of things, like in politics we know better

Tissaia:
Awesome! They tried to humiliate him but when it's comes to scheme of things, like in politics we know better

ificatchmodeh:


Is he an option for President in Apc now?

You’re the only Fulani on this forum..politics.

Others are imposters...

mrvitalis:
Now he is set to contest under APC being a loyal boy if the north all this year's ...Tinubu and osibanjo just got served

Tissaia:
u mean including Arewa

Tissaia:
Awesome! They tried to humiliate him but when it's comes to scheme of things, like in politics we know better