Posted by By GODWIN TSA, Abuja on
Flashing a victory sign, his face radiating warmth and smiles, the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, said that his spirit remains unbroken despite his current travails.
Flashing a victory sign, his face radiating warmth and smiles, the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, said that his spirit remains unbroken despite his current travails.
Kalu, decked in a navy blue suit and matching shirt and shoes, appeared unruffled as he stood for over two hours in the dock Monday, answering to charges of abuse of office, including corruption and money laundering, even as he pleaded not guilty to all the 107 allegations. He was said to have laundered money to the tune of N3bn, in collusion with two other persons, Emeka Uzor Kalu and Eunice Agwu said to be at large.
Kalu told admirers and supporters who had thronged the Federal High Court, Maitama, as early as 7a.m and were wearing long faces to cheer up as what was happening to him was a test of will and the leadership furnace which all genuine leaders have to pass through.
"I am okay. Don't cry for me. I will be fine," an upbeat Kalu said, adding: "I know who is behind my travails. I know I will be vindicated at the end of the day."
To Senator Uche Chukwumerije who had come in solidarity with the former Abia helmsman, Kalu threw a banter.
"Senator, are you not supposed to be making laws for us? What are you doing here?"
"Don't worry about me," he added. "I dey more than kampe. I know what is happening to me. I know where the fire is coming from."
The former Abia governor also told his listeners that it was because he knew he had a clean conscience that he had no fears returning home even when he had an inkling of his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
"I could have remained abroad if I chose. I could have waited for six months or thereabouts, for the situation to cool down before returning. But I wanted to face whatever case they say I have. I have no skeletons in my cupboard. I know they have nothing against me."
The court, after hearing the charges against the former governor, however, ordered the remand of Kalu and his Jigawa counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki in prison custody. While Turaki is to be brought back to court for further hearing on Monday
July 23, Kalu's case was adjourned to Wednesday, July 25.
But former Plateau State governor, Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye had a different fate as he is to be kept in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) till July 23.
The three Governors were officially arraigned before three Federal High Courts by the EFCC over charges bordering on money laundering.
Their arraignment was conducted under tight security provided by a combined team of Mobile policemen, EFCC operatives and personnel of the State Security Services (SSS).
As early as 7.30 am, all roads leading into the Federal High Court, located at the O.A.U quarters Maitama, District, Abuja were cordoned off as journalists, lawyers, politicians and supporters of the accused were frisked before being allowed access into the court premises.
The security officials prevented supporters of the former Abia State Chief Executive and presidential candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) who came in several luxury buses belonging to the state transport service to register their support to their political icon.
Kalu was brought into the court premises at 11.15 am and ushered into the crowded court room presided over by Justice Binta Murtala- Nyako preparatory for his arraignment.
His appearance in court interrupted proceedings in the case involving former Jigawa State governor who was taking his plea on a 32-count charge.
The PPA presidential candidate was asked to await his turn outside the tiny courtroom until the arraignment of Turaki was completed. At 12.04pm, he was brought back into the courtroom to take his plea.
While waiting for the judge to sit, Kalu took time to exchange pleasantries with some of his supporters including his lawyers, Levi Uzoukwu (lead counsel), Awa Kalu (SAN), Rickey Tarfa (SAN), Festus Keyamo and Chuka Odum who had arrived the court premises before 10.00a.m.
Speaking with some staff of the EFCC who sandwiched him from the public, Kalu said, "I am comfortable being in your company." Thereafter, he had some discussions with his counterpart, Turaki. The two men were later driven away in separate EFCC buses at 3.15p.m, after signing documents of their transfer from EFCC custody to the Nigeria Prison Services till their next adjourned dates. Dariye had earlier been driven out of the court premises at 2p.m.