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Orji Kalu, freed by Court, remains in Prison till Friday
BY NICHOLAS ABE
Freedom may have come the way of former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, who has been in prison at the Kuje Correctional Centre, following his conviction by a Federal High Court in Lagos for stealing over N7 billion belonging to Abia State, but he is not likely to walk a free man until Friday.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had earlier today, Tuesday, ordered the Nigerian Correctional Services to immediately release Kalu, whose conviction was earlier nullified by the Supreme Court on May 8, 2020, after about six months in prison.
Kalu’s co-convict in the Abia State case prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Jones Udeogu, whose appeal led to the Supreme Court judgement had since regained his freedom, but legal hurdles stood the way of the serving Senator representing Abia North (APC), until today’s judgement.
However, the Correctional Service as of the time of this report said it was yet to receive a valid Court order to enable it effect the release of the Senate Chief Whip.
The Public Relation Officer of the Service, Augustine Njoku, said unless the court ruling was transmitted to the service, the former governor would remain in its custody.
READ: Supreme Court nullifies Orji Kalu’s imprisonment!
“We cannot act on the basis of radio or television announcement on a court order or ruling. The ruling will be communicated to us in form of warrant. This would be acknowledged and all other protocols and procedures would be followed.
“As things stand now, we are yet to be communicated. And unless this is done, he will remain with us,” Njoku said in an online report published by The Nation.
Asked how long would it take, the spokesman said it would depend on when the court reached the service with details of the ruling. But added, “hopefully within the next two days.”
An equally reliable source who spoke to RELIABLESOURCENG.COM restated Njoku’s position. He said: “The court just gave the order today. I reckon he will be released after documentation which may take two to three days.”
Justice Mohammad Liman granted the lawmaker’s application for release, moved by his counsel Lateef Fagbemi.
The judge made the order after he received no opposition to Kalu’s application by the EFCC.