Kalu”s case adjourn till June 27

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the trial of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and two others till June 27. Justice Mohammed Idris had earlier fixed today for the hearing of no-case submission filed by the defendants against the charge pressed on them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission […]

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the trial of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and two others till June 27.

Justice Mohammed Idris had earlier fixed today for the hearing of no-case submission filed by the defendants against the charge pressed on them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But at the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday, the prosecution lawyers led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) sought for adjournment of the case to enable him respond to fresh applications filed by the defendants.

Other defendants standing trial alongside Kalu are Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited; they all pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against them by EFCC.

Jacobs informed the court that the defendants had served him series of  applications bordering on their opposition to amendment of the charge against them.

The prosecution had on May 2, amended the charge against the defendants after closing its case.

Before the closed of prosecution’s case,  EFCC called 18 witnesses  and tendered several documentary exhibits, mainly  financial instruments like cheques, bank drafts and bank statements of account.

However, after closing of the prosecution’s case, Kalu and others filed a no-case submission, declaring that they have no-case to answer on the charge preferred against them by EFCC.

Seeking for adjournment of the case, Jacobs said: " Have been serve with series of applications filed by the three defendants,  I was served yesterday  (Tuesday) with application of the first defendant, dated June 5 and filed on June 7,  second defendant also served  me this morning  (Wednesday), written address opposing amended of the charge  but I’m yet to respond. I am praying the court for a very short adjournment in order to respond; I will be grateful if the court can give us a date after public holiday".

All the defendants’ counsels didn’t oppose the prosecution’s application and the court granted its prayer.

Kalu was represented by Awa Kalu (SAN), second defendant, Udeogu was represented by Solo Akuma (SAN) while the third defendant, Slok Nigeria Limited was represented by K C Nwofo (SAN).