The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has asked for the transfer of the fresh trial of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu from Abuja to Lagos.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who is currently the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, is facing seven point one-billion-naira corruption charges over alleged offences he committed as governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007.
Senator KALU was meant to be begin his trial afresh yesterday, but when the matter was mentioned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the EFCC informed the court about its request to transfer the case to the Lagos Division.
EFCC’s counsel, Chile Okoroma, said a letter from the anti-graft agency to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court was yet to get a response.
The prosecution lawyer argued that none of the offences allegedly committed by Senator Kalu took place in Abuja, adding that the Supreme Court had decided that the case cannot be heard in Abuja.
On his part, Senator KALU’s lawyer, Awa Kalu insisted that the proper place for the trial of his client was in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, where the offences were allegedly committed.
After listening to both parties, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case till June 7, 2021.