Orji Kalu Loses Final Bid To Halt N3.2bn Money Laundering Trial | Jomotv.com

In his short ruling on the no case-submission on Tuesday, Justice Idris held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against...

In his short ruling on the no case-submission on Tuesday, Justice Idris held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants based on the evidence against the defendants. “You have explanations to make,” the Judge said.

Kalu, alongside his former Commissioner for Finance and Account, Jones Udeogu, and a company, Slok Nigeria Limited, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on an amended 39-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N3.2bn.

In May 2018, the EFCC, through its counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had closed its case against the defendants, after the conclusion of evidence given by a prosecution witness, Chidi Chukwuka, Deputy Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

During the May 11, 2018 proceedings, the prosecution counsel had also moved an oral application to amend the charge against the defendants in view of the evidence given so far.

However, the defence, led by Awa Kalu (SAN), filed a no-case submission on behalf of their clients on May 28, 2018, which they subsequently adopted as their written address. 

In his short ruling on the no case-submission on Tuesday, Justice Idris held that the prosecution had established a  prima facie case against the defendants based on the evidence against the defendants.

The Judge also held that there was a link between Kalu and the two others.

“You have explanations to make,” the Judge said.

Following the ruling, one of the defence counsel, Goddy Uche (SAN), informed the court that the lead counsel to the defendants, Awa Kalu (SAN) had written to notify the court that Kalu has an appointment to undergo a surgery abroad.

He, therefore, prayed the court to adjourn the matter to September 10, 2018, to enable the first defendant, Kalu, to open his defence.

In his response, the prosecution counsel, Jacobs, urged the court to adjourn further proceedings to the first week of September, saying: “The President of the Court of Appeal has directed that the matter must be concluded before the end of September 2018.”

Consequently, Justice Idris adjourned the case to September 10, 2018, for the defendants to open their defence.

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