Fresh trouble is underway for the embattled former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu as a coalition of concerned Abia stakeholders plan one million man match to demand accelerated hearing in the alleged N7. 6 billion fraud charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
The coalition expressed shock over the sudden decision of a court to adjourn the trial of the former governor sine die (indefinitely ) .
The group at a briefing in Abuja at the weekend claimed that indefinite suspension of such a celebrated case involving tax payers money was another case of double standard in the president Mohammadu Buhari led anti corruption war.
Leaders of the group chief Uche Ajunwa and prince Eric Kalu said “ the indefinite suspension of the N7.6billion fraud case against the former governor has already set tongues wagging in the state
A federal High Court sitting in lagos had on Thursday adjourned indefinitely the trial of chief Orji Uzor Kalu over alleged N7.6 billion fraud charges.
Levelled against him by the EFCC, Justice Muhammed Idris while adjourn ingredients the case sine die on Thursday however noted that the Fiat given to him by the president of Appeal court justice Zainab Bulkachuwa on the case elapsed at the end of September this year .
The coalition in a reaction on friday vowed to resist any attempt by any body no matter how highly placed to sweep such matter under the carpet .
According to the group “ indefinite adjournment of such celebrated case was most unfortunate , because of the huge public interest it has generated both within and outside the state “
One person alone cannot allegedly loot over N7.6 billion from state treasury and you expect the tax payers in the state to keep quiet .
“We are set for a one million man match in the state to demand for immediate reopening of the trial .
“We demand accelerated hearing of this case, because there should be no sacred cow in the current fight against corruption .
The coalition alleged that suspension of the trial was a grand design by some persons to allow the former governor contest the election for Abia north senatorial seat .
“We see it as a negotiated freedom to enable him run for the forthcoming election .
“All we want is justice and the indefinite suspension of his trial negate the spirit of anti corruption . And to make matter worse , some of his cohorts are beginning to see the former governor as the anointed one for the seat .
“The former is also parading himself as the leader of APC in the south East, and the few of us that joined the party had left on the account of this decision.”
Chief Ajunwa told journalists that many other groups have signed into the planned protest in the state .
Source
Leadership news paper
