Legal Technicality: The Supreme Court nullifies Orji Uzor Kalu, Ude Udeogu’s convictions.

The Supreme Court gave the judgement on Friday, about five months after both men were convicted of corruption allegations levelled against them by the Federal Government.

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos had earlier sentenced Senator Kalu to 12 years imprisonment and Mr Ideogu to 10 years Imprisonment in his judgement delivered in December 2019.

Not happy with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Kalu and Udeogu filed an appeal to challenge their sentencing at the Supreme Court.

Justice Eko who read the lead judgement, explained that the declaration was on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal as at the time he delivered the judgment sentencing the appellants.

He held that a Justice of the Court of Appeal cannot operate as a judge of the Federal High Court.

The apex court, therefore, ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case for trial.

The Federal High Court had sentenced Senator Kalu on December 5, 2019, after finding him guilty of fraud to the tune of N7.56 billion.

The assets of Slok Nigeria Limited, his company, were also forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Similarly, the court sentenced Udeogu in an amended 39-count.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges against them.

Reacting to the judgement, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it considers the judgement of the apex court as quite unfortunate.

The agency called it a technical ambush against the trial of the former governor.

The Commission also declares preparedness for a fresh and immediate retrial.