A Federal High Court in Lagos, Nigeria on Tuesday, granted a motion by a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, seeking his release from the Kuje Prison custody.
Justice Mohammed Liman before who the applicant’s motion was pending, granted the prayer of the applicant, and ordered the release of Kalu, from prison.
Kalu was sentenced to 12 years for N7.2billion fraud belonging to Abia State. The verdict was handed down by Justice Mohammed Idris on Dec. 5, 2019, while his co-defendant, Jonnes Udeogo had bagged a 10 years jail term.
NAN reports that Justice Idris who delivered the verdict, had been ceased of the case from the time of Kalu’s arraignment, but he was subsequently, elevated to the court of appeal. However, following a fiat authorizing him to continue with the case, Idris conducted and concluded the trial of Kalu and his co-accused. He, had consequently, delivered his verdict on Dec. 5, 2019 handing down a jail term of 12 years and 10 years, on Kalu and Udeogo respectively.
Following an appeal by Udeogo, the Supreme Court had on May 8, held that the fiat issued to Justice Idris to conclude the trial of the defendants after he had been elevated to the Court of Appeal was “a nullity”. The apex Court had set aside Idris’ verdict “as it relates to the appellant (Udeogu)”, and had ordered Udeogu’s freedom and the re-trial of his case
Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/