The EFCC, has re-arraigned a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu; his ex-aide, Jones Udeogo and Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, on an amended 34-count charge bordering on criminal diversion of fund to the tune of N3.2billion from the Abia State Government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor.
Kalu and others were docked before Justice Anwuri Chikere of Federal High Court, Abuja nine years after their cases were stalled.
They were first arraigned in 2007 before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja (now retired).
Prior to their arraignment, Kalu and others had argued against the proceedings, and urged the court to await the appeal by Slok pending at the Supreme Court.
But, Justice Chikere rejected their objection to their arraignment and ordered them to enter their pleas.
The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them, and they were granted bail on the terms attached to the bail earlier granted them on April 30, 2008.
The case has been adjourned to December 6, 2016 for commencement of trial.
