N7.5 Billion Fraud Trial: Judge Orders Kalu To Return From German Hospital

– EFCC Prosecutor Says He Jumped Bail

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has given the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu the matching orders to avail himself in his court on Monday, November 12 irrespective of his health condition to face his N7.5 billion fraud trial.

Kalu was absent in the court on Monday, November 5 and was reported by his lawyer, Prof. Awa Kalu, SAN to have been hospitalized in a German hospital.

Pictures of Kalu on a hospital bed in Germany and a message from his wife soliciting for prayers for her husband were published in two newspapers owned by the former governor.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, however, raised his objections that Kalu should have sought the court’s permission before traveling out of the country.

Indeed, he accused Kalu of trying to jump bail and frustrate the trial.

“I am not aware when the 1st defendant wanted to travel. We only got to know that the 1st defendant travelled abroad for medical treatment through his media aide, one Kunle Oyewunmi.

“Things must be done in accordance with the law. In my own view, what happened is that the 1st defendant has jumped bail. This is an attempt to further frustrate this trial because no application was made to the court to travel.

“I urge Your Lordship to treat the absence of the 1st defendant as that he has jumped bail,” Jacobs said.

In his response to the submissions of the two lawyers, Jusitce Mohammed Idris ruled that he would give Kalu a week to return and make himself available for the trial on November 12.

Kalu in a German hospital

“I have always stated that every citizen of this country is entitled to and has the right to seek medical treatment abroad. This right is guaranteed by the constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is an inalienable right.

“However, this right has exceptions; therefore, in exercising this right due regard must be had for the law and due process.

“Apart from the mail confirming the treatment arrangement of the 1st defendant, the defence counsel should have obtained a medical report on the condition of the 1st defendant post-surgery. This would have properly guided the court in the proceedings of today.

“However, in the light of the entirety of this case and in the interest of justice, I am prepared to grant to the 1st defendant a final adjournment in respect of this matter.

“In the light of the provisions of the ACJA, I shall not adjourn for more than seven days from today. It is, therefore, hereby directed that the 1st defendant shall return to the country within seven days from today’s date for the hearing of this matter.”

Upon that, the judge adjourned proceedings to Monday, November 12 for further hearing.

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