By our reporter| The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the judgment which convicted the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Mr. Udeogu Udechukwu, a former Director of Finance and Account at the Abia State Government House.
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 and ordered a retrial.
According to Justice Eko, 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.
Kalu was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in April so19 by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court Lagos.
He, however, filed an appeal to challenge his sentencing at the Supreme Court, alongside Udeogu.
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