The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described the judgment of the Supreme Court which nullifies the incarceration of Orji Kalu and Jones Udeogu as unfortunate.
In a statement on Friday, few hours after the apex court’s verdict, the EFCC said it was ready for a fresh and immediate re-trial of the former Abia State governor and the former Director of Finance and Account of the state’s government.
The statement said, ”The apex 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 EFCC considers the judgment of the apex court as quite unfortunate. It is a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor.
”The Commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming. The corruption charges against Kalu still subsist because the Supreme Court did not acquit him of them.”
The statement added, ” The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course.”