The Court of Appeal in Abuja has granted the Federal Government permission to challenge the 2021 judgment that barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from retrying former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu.
Kalu, who served as governor from 1999 to 2007, was previously convicted of laundering ₦7.1 billion and sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, his conviction was nullified by the Supreme Court due to a technicality regarding the trial judge’s promotion to the Court of Appeal.
Following his release, Kalu sought a court order preventing the EFCC from reopening the case, citing “double jeopardy.” A Federal High Court ruled in his favor in 2021, and the Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling on technical grounds.
The Supreme Court has now overturned that decision, allowing the EFCC to proceed with Kalu’s retrial. The Federal Government has been given 14 days to file its notice of appeal.
Furthermore, The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an accelerated hearing of the treasonable felony case against Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu, who was re-arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria in 2021, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge when he appeared before Justice James Omotosho.
His legal team, now led by former Attorney-General Kanu Agabi (SAN), has issued a public apology to the court and prosecution over Kanu’s previous outbursts. Agabi described his client as a defender of Igbo rights who had been overwhelmed by emotions.
In response, FG’s lead prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), accepted the apology, emphasizing that the case was about legal resolution, not persecution.
The trial is set to continue on April 29, May 2, and May 6. Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, initially had 15 charges against him, but eight were struck out in 2022. The Supreme Court later ruled in favor of the Federal Government, allowing the case to proceed on seven counts.
