A group, known as the Concerned Citizens
of Nigeria, has called for the immediate resumption of a suit involving
the former Governor of Abia State,...
Chief Theodore Orji, in a case of an
alleged misappropriation of over N2.6 billion belonging to the state
government between March, 18 2003 to December 2005.
Orji, who is now the senator
representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the Senate was the
chief of staff to former Governor Orji Kalu between 1999 and 2007.
The group in a letter to the chairman,
Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Professor Itse
Sagay, stated that the former governor and other government officials
from the state were charged to court in a case no: FHC/L/ 45C/2007
before the Federal High Court, Lagos, but he was granted bail by the
Court of appeal, Lagos on May, 29 2007 when he became governor.
CCN in the letter dated August 2, 2017,
singed by Mr. Taiwo Akinyele, which was cited by our correspondent,
stated that the prosecution of the former governor was stalled as result
of his immunity by operation of law.
The group pointed out that two years
after the immunity of the former governor ceased, the prosecution of the
case against him has not resumed till date.
It alleged that no effort had been made
by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (the prosecuting
Agency), the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the
Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to prosecute Orji as required by
law and in consonance with the anti-corruption drive of the Federal
Government.
The letter read in part, “The
non-prosecution/recovery of the said huge sums of money gives credence
to the fact that the former governor is untouchable and above the law of
the land as he has flippantly boasted in several quarters.”
The group, which stated that it wrote
the letter in line with the “whistleblowing” policy and fight against
corruption of the Federal Government, urged Sagay to intervene urgently
and ensure the resumption and prosecution of the 100 charges against the
former governor in the interest of justice and the people of the state.
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