SAN FRANCISCO, November 05, (THEWILL)- Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a businessman and former governor of Abia State, who was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, over a N7.65billion fraud he orchestrated during his tenure as governor (1999-2007), by a Federal High court sitting in Lagos, while being led out of the court by the Correctional Service officers Thursday linked his conviction to the next general elections in saying ‘2023, here we come’.
Kalu, who is the Senate’s Chief Whip smiled at reporters and said, ‘2023, here we come’ as he was escorted out of the courtroom by Correctional Services officials after his sentencing.
The politician who broke down in tears in court also begged the prison officials to spare him from handcuffs. “Where are you taking us to? Where are you taking us to now? Please don’t handcuff me.”
Kalu’s co-convict, Udeh Jones Udeogu, was sentenced to 10 years in prison while the company which was used in committing the fraud, Slok Limited, was ordered to be wound up and all the assets forfeited to the Federal Government. The case began in 2007, 12 years ago, when they were first arraigned for the offences but before a different judge.
Udeogu served as a Director of Finance in Abia State Government House while Kalu was governor.
Justice Idris held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved that the convicts conspired and diverted funds from the coffers of Abia State.
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