*L-R: Orji Kalu (left); Senate President, Lawan and others during the visit
Following the “temporary” release of the former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu from prison, the incumbent Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan on Thursday June 4, led other senators to the residence of Abia-born Kalu to welcome him from prison.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had picked him up for financial crimes involving over N7billion after his tenure ended as Abia State governor. After a protracted legal battle that lasted many years, he was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison. But, over five months of his time in prison, and to the surprise of all and sundry, the Supreme Court, which is the apex court in Nigeria quashed the case and ordered a retrial of the case.
It would be recall that the former Abia governor who is the Chief Whip of the upper legislative chamber regained freedom on Wednesday June 3, months after being jailed following his arraignment by the EFCC on 36-counts of money laundering to the tune of over N7billion. Other personalities who joined the Senate President on the visit include the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Deputy Whip, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.
However, the EFCC had described the ruling as a surprise and also vowed to head back to court for the retrial of Kalu as ordered by the Supreme Court.
