N5.6bn corruption case: Court grants EFCC permission to arraign former Abia state gov, Orji Kalu

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, permission to arraign former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu on May 16 over allegations of misappropriation of N5.6 billion while he was governor of the state.

According to Vanguard, EFCC in its charges filed against Kalu in 2008, alleged that he was involved in money laundering and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.6billion.

The fraud was allegedly perpetuated while Kalu was governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007.

Kalu was first arraigned in 2007 but his trial has been stalled over the years following court cases instituted by him, challenging the charges leveled against him by EFCC.

The Supreme court on March 18th dismissed Kalu’s appeal challenging the EFCC. On May 16th, he will enter fresh plea to an amended 112-count charge dated ‎February 11, 2008.