Abia
Indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), will soon resume trial of Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, emerged yesterday, as sources close to EFCC told THISDAY that despite being protected by the immunity clause, Orji may soon be summoned to appear in court.
The source said where it is not possible to get the governor, the three other accused persons, Moses Agoh, former Commissioner of Finance; Elder Samuel Iheke, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Mr Jones Udeogu, former Director of Finance and Supply, Government House, would be made to continue the trial, pending when Orji's immunity will expire.
Another source close to THISDAY also said, "why Orji's trial and that of three others should continue is that the court cannot disable itself, and as such, whether they are ready or not, EFCC will hire lawyers to argue the case on their behalf."
Orji and three other top functionaries of the Abia State government, were recently granted bail by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, after their bail applications were turned down by the Federal High Court.
They were first arraigned by the EFCC on a 100-count charge of money laundering amounting to N2.1billion and unlawful transfer of the state’s funds totalling billions of naira into a private account maintained by Slok Nigeria Limited, with Manny Bank (now part of Fidelity Bank Plc) in 2005.
EFCC alleged in the charge that the said Slok Company belonged to the outgoing governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, and members of his family. The Commission also named the governor’s mother in the charge.
It will be recalled that before the Court of Appeal granted the accused persons bail, Justice Tijani Abubakar of the Federal High Court, rejected the bail application brought by them through Mr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN.
Justice Abubakar upheld the contention of the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, that the accused persons are influential persons who would interfere with the prosecution witnesses if granted bail.
He also said the court was mindful of the influential positions of the accused persons, noting that it (court) was convinced that the fear expressed by the prosecution was justified.
According to the judge, the court was also mindful of the fact that accused persons may not be available for trial and consequently refused the bail application.
Justice Abubakar who dismissed the bail application, agreed with most of the averments of Jacobs who had countered the bail application on the grounds that if the accused persons were allowed to campaign and subsequently win the election as governor, he would be under immunity and would not be able to stand trial as governor.
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