Posted by By GODWIN TSA Abuja. on
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has raised alarm alleging that the Economic and Financial Crimes [EFCC] wants him dead by frustrating the release of his travel documents by the court for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment abroad even as his health situation is worsening by the day.
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has raised alarm alleging that the Economic and Financial Crimes [EFCC] wants him dead by frustrating the release of his travel documents by the court for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment abroad even as his health situation is worsening by the day.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees [BOT] of the Progressive Peoples Alliance [PPA] had told the court that he was presently suffering from what he called a chronic asthma and that his inability to seek medical attention from his doctors in the United States is affecting his sleeping pattern.
He said he was invited by his doctors in the United States for evaluation of his sleeping pattern.
In addition, he also expressed the need to see his family members who are residing in the United States of America.
His request was contained in a motion filed by his counsel, Chief Anwa Kalu [SAN] praying the court for a temporal release of his international passport that was deposited in the custody of the court in partial fulfilment of his bail conditions.
But rather than show concern for his health condition, the EFCC through its counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs opposed the motion and urged the court to turn down his request on the ground that Kalu was not asthmatic as claimed.
It was the submission of Jacobs that assuming without conceding that he was asthmatic, there were a lot of hospitals where he could get treatment even though he did not mention any.
The anti-graft body further prayed the court to move against Kalu over his request to visit his family members abroad including his wife and children because it (the agency) had already declared some of those he wanted to visit as fugitives.
Besides, it accused Kalu of embarking on delay tactics to frustrate his trial over the 107-count charge of money-laundering, official corruption and stealing running into about N3.1billion. Kalu had since pleaded not guilty to the charges and he is also attacking the competence of the criminal information filed against him.
When his motion seeking the release of his travel documents was to be argued and pronounced upon by the court yesterday, the EFCC frustrated the proceedings on the ground that because a new leadership has been put in place at the commission, the court should grant an adjournment to enable him take instructions from the new leadership with respect to the case.
Kalu frowned at the application for adjournment arguing that the change of leadership of the EFCC has no effect on the matter presently before the court, However, Justice Adamu Bello granted the djournment. Angered by this development, Kalu who was cornered by newsmen expressed his disappointment and accused the EFCC of plans to kill him by opposing his application.
I am always very satisfied with any judge handling my case. If my case is decided against me at the trial court and I am not satisfied, I am at liberty to move to the next level (Court of Appeal) until I get to
the final level, which is the Supreme Court. But when you see what is happening in the country today, I still wonder why I am here.
I don't see why prosecution counsel should say in open court that he needs instruction from his client before responding to my application, which is on health ground. I found it insulting to the court because the conditions of my bail were set by the court and not by the EFCC, So I don't see why Rotimi Jacobs will tell Nigerians in an open court that he needs the permission of his client for the case to continue. This is not acceptable. I am not a lawyer but I know that what they are doing is wrong.