A Federal High Court in Lagos has revoked the bail granted to former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzo Kalu.
Justice Mohammed Idris made the revocation order on Monday following Kalu’s failure to appear in court for trial as scheduled.
Kalu and his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo and a company, Slok Nigeria Ltd., had been dragged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of fraud to the tune of N7.2billion .
At the last hearing on November 5, 2018, Kalu was also absent from court. His counsel told the court that he was in Germany for medical treatment.
Justice Idris thereby adjourned the matter to November 12, and ordered that Kalu must be present for continuation of trial.
In revoking Kalu’s bail, the judge ordered that upon his return from the purported medical trip, he must submit himself to the EFCC, saying that failure to do so, he will make an order for his arrest.
“Let me state that there is no doubt that the first defendant is entitled to and has a right to life, he has a right to seek medical treatment within and outside the shores of Nigeria; this right is further guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and People’s Right.
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“In enjoying this right, the first defendant has a duty to follow due process of law; in this case, the first defendant acted outside the purview of the law, and he is expected to be dealt with according to the law.
“This court is a court of equity, but he who seeks equity must do equity; I find no reason why I should depart from the law, this court is an equal dispenser of justice,” the court held.
The EFCC had on October 31, 2016, brought a 34-count charge bordering on N3.2 billion fraud against Orji Uzo Kalu and the two others, but later amended it to 39 counts.
The offences were alleged to have been committed between August 2001 and 2005.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.
Further hearing has been fixed for December 3.
