16th January, 2018
Akin Kuponiyi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that its star witness in the trial of former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, is evading appearance.
Orji Uzor-Kalu, Udeh Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited were arraigned October 31, 2016 by the EFCC before Justice Mohammed Idris on a 34-count charge of over three billion naira fraud.
They pleaded not guilty.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacob, SAN, told the court that the matter was due for continuation of trial but that he could not proceed because he could not find his star witness.
Mr. Jacob told Justice Idris that the witness, Mr Mike Udoh, had repeatedly made himself unavailable whenever he was due to appear in court to give his evidence.
He accused some unknown persons of being behind Udoh’s absence and vowed that they would be prosecuted.
He prayed for a short adjournment date to enable the agency round up its case.
Kalu’s counsel, Mr Awa Kalu, SAN, accused the EFCC of a ploy to foist an adjournment on the court.
Second defendant counsel, Mr. Solo Akuma SAN, adopted Kalu’s submissions, describing the EFCC’s claim as a frivolous one.
In a bench ruling, Justice Idris upheld EFCC application for adjournment and declined the defendants’ application for cost,pointing out that this would be the final adjournment it would allow.
Thereafter, the case was adjourned till 22 February, 2018 for continuation of trial.