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General News of Saturday, 9 May 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Ndigbo youths charge Orji Kalu to return all he stole from Abia

Orji Uzor Kalu Orji Uzor Kalu

Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, has been charged by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide to return all what he allegedly took from the state.

This is coming after the supreme court on Friday upturned Kalu's conviction of an alleged N7.1 billion fraud by a federal high court in Lagos and ordered a retrial, MyNigeria.com reported.

According to reports from the Cable, the group's statement on Saturday, Obinna Achionye, deputy president-general; and Okwu Nnabuike, secretary-general of the youth council, said the apex court upturned the conviction after “persuasive pressure” from groups and “stakeholders.”

The group advised Kalu to enter a plea bargain with the EFCC and return all that he has allegedly stolen from Abia state.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has described the Supreme Court Ruling that quashed the Conviction of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as the collaborative persuasive Pressure from Groups and stakeholders to ensure that the maverick Politician should regain control of his freedom but cautioned that he should desist from Smearing the image of Abia State Government but enter into plea bargain with the EFCC and return all the money he allegedly took from the Coffers of Abia State Government,” the statement read.

“This is the only way for him to be totally free from the hook of EFCC and Abia State Citizens Verdict as Posterity will be kind to him.

“Ndigbo had been at crossroads without a political rallying point, since the demise of Igbo legends – Dim Chukwuemeka Odiegwu Ojukwu, Former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Col Joe Achuzie and Justice Ezebuilo Ozobu.

“Orji Kalu should rise up above party politics and loyalty and support every collective commitment and interests of Igbos as it will heal the wounds of his past and perceived misdeeds done in error.”

The former Abia governor was subsequently sentenced to 12 years in prison after standing trial on a 39-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).


Source: The Cable