Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says it is determined to prosecute former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu all over again.
The resolve was stated by EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa on Thursday during the weekly briefing by Heads of MDAs to give an update on their performance in office.
Kalu was set free by the Supreme Court on technicalities after being convicted of stealing billions of naira when he was Abia State Governor (1999-2007). Without addressing the substance of the case, the Supreme Court ruled that the trial judge that found him guilty had been elevated to the appeal court and should not have ruled on the matter.
While giving an overview of his 100 days in office, Bawa said the Commission was set to file 800 new corruption cases in court. He said the cases would be majorly on public corruption and cybercrime.
The cases were delayed largely because of the strike by judiciary workers who shut down courts in Nigeria for over two months and only went back to work on Tuesday after announcing the suspension of the strike over the weekend.
He said the commission on Wednesday secured a judgment against a former banker, Francis Atuche, who was sentenced to six years in jail for stealing N27 billion from the former Bank PHB while he was the managing director.
“This case was instituted on October 16, 2009, but judgment was only given yesterday. But we are determined to continue prosecuting no matter how long it takes,” he said.
