Court adjourns trial of former Abia governor till Sept. 27

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, on Thursday adjourned former Governor Orji Kalu’s alleged money laundering trial till Sept. 27.

The judge, Anwuli Chikere, adjourned the case pending an appeal filed by the defendants at the Supreme Court.

Mr. Kalu is standing trial alongside, his company, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Jones Udeogo, a former Commissioner for Finance in Abia State, for alleged money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them on a 32-count amended charge of diverting state’s fund as officials of the state between 1999 and 2007.

The prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, said the offences contravened Section 17 (C) of the Money Laundering Act.

Both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Solomon Akuma(SAN), counsel to the third defendant, informed the court of a pending appeal in the Supreme Court.

He, therefore, urged the court to adjourn the proceedings to await the outcome of the appeal.

Although the prosecution opposed the application for adjournment, the court however, granted the third’s defendant’s application.

The judge, consequently fixed Sept. 27 for the defence to report on the status of the appeal and continuation of trial.

(NAN)