Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos has revoked the bail of a former Governor of Abia, Orji Kalu, just as he asked him to report himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his failure to appear in court for trial as scheduled.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Kalu together with his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo and a Company, Slok Nigeria Ltd on charges of N7.2 billion fraud. EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016, preferred a 34-count charges, bordering on N3.2 billion fraud against the accused.
The charges were, however, subsequently amended to 39 counts.
They had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.
At the last adjourned date on Nov. 5, Kalu was also absent for his trial and defence counsel had informed the court that he was away for medical treatment in Germany.
Justice Idris, who is sitting on a fiat to conclude the trial, had then adjourned the case until Monday for continuation of trial and ordered that Kalu returns to the country within seven days from Nov. 5 to stand trial.
On Monday, Justice Idris, revoked Kalu’s bail, following his failure to appear in court for trial as scheduled.
The judge ordered that upon a return of Kalu from his alleged medical trip, he must submit himself to the EFCC, failing which an order will be made for his arrest.
“I am constrained to revoke the bail granted to the first defendant; the first defendant is, however, permitted to continue with his medical treatment abroad, unharrased by law enforcement agencies.
“Upon his return to the country, he must at the point of entry, surrender his international passport and other relevant travelling document to the EFCC; he shall submit himself to the EFCC within 24 hours of his return, failling which he shall be rearrested and detained by the EFCC.
The court adjourned the case until Dec 3 .
(NAN)
