EFCC re-arraigns ex-Gov over N3.2B fraud as lawyers beg for continuous bail

Lawyers of ex-Governor of Abia State Governo

According to a report by Premium Times, the ex-Gov was re-arraigned alongside Udeh Udeogu, a former Director of Finance Abia State and Slok Nigeria Limited on Monday, October 31, 2016 for a 34 counts charge of money laundering.

Kalu's arraignment at the court is coming after a lengthy legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N3.2billion fraud charges.

In the amended charges, which was read out to the accused, Kalu, Udeh Ugeogu, and Emeka Abone had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsels to the defendants, Mike Ozekhome and Solo Akuma, had appealed to the court under Justice Mohammed Idris to allow their clients to continue with the bail term earlier granted them.

In his submission, Ozekhome stressed that the defendants had been arraigned before three different judges in Abuja Federal High Courts, before they were re-arraigned again in Lagos.

The plea was accepted by the prosecutor, Mr. Adeniyi, who said his agency was only interested in the trial of the accused persons.

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Thus, Justice Idris adjourned the matter till December 12, 2016 and December 13, 2016 for trial, while ordering that the accused persons continue to enjoy their existing bails.