The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday informed a federal high court at Abuja that it has written to the FCT Chief Judge to transfer the case file of Senator Orji Kalu from Abuja to Lagos.
The former governor of Abia state was earlier found guilty and handed a 12-year jail term by the Lagos Division of the court, alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, and a former Director of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu, for allegedly stealing about N7.1billion from the state treasury.
But the conviction was overturned by the supreme court and a retrial ordered.
But at resumed trial on Tuesday in Abuja, counsel for the EFCC, Chile Okoroma, who informed the court of a pending letter before the Chief Judge asking for the transfer of the case to Lagos, however, said the Chief Judge is yet to respond to the letter which was written in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court ordering the prosecution to try Senator Kalu afresh.
According to Okoroma, none of the offences allegedly committed by Kalu took place in Abuja, and that the Supreme Court has held that the case cannot be heard in the FCT.
He, therefore, asked the court to adjourn the matter pending a reply from the Chief Judge.
Responding, counsel to Orji Kalu argued that the proper place to trial his client is Umuahia, Abia State capital where the offences were allegedly committed.
Justice Inyang Ekwo while ruling on the matter said, “Even without your application, the matter cannot go on.
“But I cannot adjourn the matter sine die. There must be a specific date for the report.”
The case was subsequently adjourned till June 7.
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