Court fixes June 2 for Orji Kalu’s application seeking release from prison

A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed June 2 to hear an application filed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, seeking his release from prison.
The motion on notice will be heard by Justice Mohammed Liman.
Kalu is currently serving a 12 years jail term at the Correctional Service Centre in Kuje, Abuja for allegedly looting N7.2 billion belonging to Abia State.
He was sentenced by Justice Mohammed Idris on December 5, 2019, to 12 years imprisonment while his co-defendant, Jonnes Udeogo, bagged a 10-year jail term.
Kalu had hired a 12-man team of lawyers, including six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), to prosecute his freedom bid.
He filed the motion on May 12 asking the court to nullify his conviction.
Following Udeogu’s appeal, the Supreme Court had on May 8 held that the fiat issued to Justice Idris to conclude the trial of the defendants after he had been elevated to the Court of Appeal was “a nullity”.
The apex Court had consequently, set aside Idris’ verdict “as it relates to the appellant (Udeogu)”.
The court had ordered Udeogu’s freedom and the re-trial of his case.
In his new pending motion, Kalu is contending that no legal basis exists for his continued incarceration following the Supreme Court’s judgement which declared his trial a nullity and freed Udeogu.
The motion will be heard on June 2.