The Supreme Court yesterday
dismissed the appeal filed by former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu
seeking to quash charges of corruption against him.
The apex court in a unanimous judgment said the appeal lacked merit.
The apex court in a unanimous judgment said the appeal lacked merit.
In a swift reaction, Kalu said he was ready to face trial and reiterated his innocence.
Kalu had, in his appeal, sought to quash the charge of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
A similar appeal by Kalu’s associate, Udeh Jones Udehogo was also dismissed by the Supreme Court on similar ground.
Justice Suleiman Galadima, who wrote the lead judgments in both appeals, upheld the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court, Abuja and Appeal Court, Abuja in refusing the appeals.
On September 3, 2007 Kalu filed
a motion before the court, asking for an order to strike out all EFCC charges
against him and to vacate the terms and conditions of the bail earlier granted
by the court. The court dismissed the motion, a decision Kalu appealed to the
Court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, Kalu has expressed his readiness to face his trial and prove his innocence on the 107-count corruption charges brought against him by the EFCC.