Ex-Abia governor, Kalu case adjourns indefinitely by court

There was jubilation yesterday in some cities including Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the Abia State, Umuahia, the capital, Ohafia and Bende as a Federal High Court adjourned indefinitely the trial of ex-Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

Also in some markets in Lagos, Abuja and Kano, with many Igbo traders, the same responses were witnessed.

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court had yesterday adjourned the case initiated against Kalu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indefinitely as “special fiat” granted him by president of the Court of Appeal to continue with the case, after his elevation to the appellate court, ended today.

Some traders and residents in Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia and Bende, among other cities in Abia State, as well as some parts of Lagos, Abuja and Kano went into celebration, insisting that this would give Kalu, an opportunity to properly defend himself.

Our correspondents in Abia State observed that as soon as news of the case’s adjournment filtered into the town, free drinks were declared in beer parlours and hotels.

One of the jubilant Abia indigene, Chief Kingsley Ogba Ugorji, a resident of Aba, said the people were happy because the haste and desperation with which the case was being pursued had been halted with the development.

He said when a court case was handled in haste, like the Kalu case, where “a judge who has been moved to the Court of Appeal wants to conclude the matter within a short time, there is bound to be mistakes. So, the indefinite adjournment will give room for a thorough job so that an innocent man will not be punished.”

Our correspondents reported that like in Abia State, some traders went into drinking spree and offered drinks to anybody who cared in Lagos, Kano and Abuja .

One of the trader in ASPAMDA, in Lagos, Emeke Nwankwo, in the Ojo area of Lagos, told our 

correspondent that the way the case was going, there was need for God’s intervention.

“With this adjournment, God has intervened. I have wondered why there was so much hurry. How could a case where the accused have not been given ample time to defend themselves be rushed and conclude in less than one month? Since the judge has been promoted, let him go to the Court of Appeal so that a judge of the High Court would take over the matter,” he said.

The judge had at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday sought views by lawyers representing parties in the matter on whether he could proceed with the case as the fiat was about to expire.
In his views, Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN) said it would be difficult for the defendants to conclude their case within the period left for the fiat to run out.

“It would be an exercise in futility to start the defence because there are three defendants that will testify. It may be prudent as my lord has observed to determine the fate of the fiat before we continue,” the silk said.

Other defence lawyers, Chief Solo Akuma (SAN) and K. C. Nwofor (SAN) aligned themselves with the submissions of Kalu’s lawyer, saying it is practically impossible for the defendants to conclude their case within the lifespan of the fiat.

However, in his submissions, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) wanted the defence to open its case within the window left of the fiat.

He said: “I think we can utilize today and tomorrow to conclude and if we cannot conclude, we can re-apply for the extension of the fiat.”

In a short ruling, Justice Idris adjourned the matter indefinitely pending when either party will apply for an extension of the fiat.

“The court is officially on strike. The defence cannot start today and conclude by tomorrow. The matter might be properly adjourned ‘sine dine’ (indefinitely) at this time. Either party can apply to the President of the Court of Appeal for an extension of the fiat,” Justice Idris held.