The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, filed a 32-count amended charge against a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, on alleged money laundering.
The EFCC had in 2007 filed a 96- count charge against the ex-governor, his company, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Jones Udeogo.
Kalu and his co-defendants were accused of diverting the state’s fund while he was governor of Abia between 1999 and 2007.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) however reports that the defendants’ re-arraignments were stalled following a pending appeal involving the 3rd defendant, Slok Nigeria Limited, at the Supreme Court.
Counsel to the third accused, Chief Solomon Akuma (SAN), drew the court’s attention to the subsisting appeal at the apex court.
He therefore urged the court to adjourn the proceedings to allow parties sort out the appeal.
On his part, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolagbe, opposed the application.
He said Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, prohibited stay of proceedings in a criminal matter at the trial court on account of a pending appeal.
Atolagbe argued further that the appeal in question was similar to the two previous appeals involving Kalu and Udoego, which the Supreme Court decided on March 18.
