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Tag: Orji Uzor Kalu

  • ‘2019: APC will successfully fight coalition’s threat and become victorious’

    Former Governor of Abia State and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Orji Uzor Kalu, in this exclusive interview, told Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, that he has forgiven his estranged successor, Senator T. A. Orji. He also spoke of Buhari’s chances in 2019 and how APC leaders are working behind-the-scene to resolve the crisis in Imo and some other Southeast states. Excerpts

    GIVEN the mood of Nigerians, what is the prospect of your party, the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, in the 2019 Elections? You can see that many Nigerians are complaining of hardship and hunger. Do you really think you have good prospect?

    Our prospect is very encouraging. Of course, nothing is ever 100 percent. I know that some people will complain because of the difficult economic situation. That is understandable, but we must all realise that before now, we all operated on a wrong economic boom. What some people do not realise is that when somebody, a nation or a people jubilate over a growth that is not sustainable; such an economic growth is not a growth, it’s a mere boom. What is happening now is that the government is trying to lay the necessary foundation and on that ground, we have achieved so much. We may not have seen the physical result but I can assure Nigerians that this government is laying the right foundations for sustainable economic growth.

    But how do you intend to market your candidate to a people that are hungry and angry?

    The people know the truth. They know that the country’s economy has been battered for many years. We all know that so much damage has been done. We know that the damage done for over 15 years or more may not be easily repaired in three years. My grandmother told me that when you buy an adire, a cloth, you will need to cut it into pieces first before you sow it and get a good jumper or adire. I am not saying this government does not have the responsibility to put right what went wrong before its emergence; all I am saying is that the government will need some time to correct such damage. As you know, the situation was further complicated by the global economic recession that set in almost immediately this government’s tenure began. So, we must all admit that President Muhammadu Buhari is a human being; he is not a magician. We should also remember that his health condition at the early part of his administration, which made him to spend some time in hospital did not give him time to tackle these problems as promptly as they should have been done. He is only human and is trying to solve the problems. I know he has done well in some vital areas. Yes, everybody needs food but being human, he may not solve all our problems in one day. We need to be strategic and ensure that the right foundations are laid. That is what this government is doing, and by the time the result will become manifest, Nigerians will be grateful to Buhari and his team. I know Nigerians are not asking for too much. I am a core Nigerian and a student of the Nigerian people. We are not asking for too much from the government. The only thing Nigerians are asking for is to be given the fundamental things that will enable them live good life. They are asking just for power, good roads, fair policies, basic infrastructure and such like. These are what should be given to the people.

    This government is laying foundations that will boost provision of these basic needs. Take food for example, President Buhari has made it possible for Nigerians to go back to the farms. This is what Buhari has been preaching. For the first time in decades, farming has become lucrative again; farmers are making profits. This is how it should be; such growth is sustainable. I believe that if we use Chinese model, we would successfully fix our economy in the long run. Chairman Mao preached that the Chinese people should produce as much food as they can to feed the over one billion citizens.  According to the model, the first stage is to produce enough food. It is after this that they now go into processing and then to technology. I believe in this model. I believe that every technology is copied. There is nothing like technology transfer. Every technology is copied. That is why I believe that we should encourage the young men and women in Aba, Nnewi, Onitsha, Umuahia and other cities in Nigeria fabricating things. That is how great technologies grow. But in Nigeria, our greatest setback is energy. If many years after privatization we are still using generator sets even in choice areas like Ikoyi in Lagos and Asokoro in Abuja, near Aso Rock Villa, you can see the damage. It has become obvious that we wrongly privatized our electricity. We may need to talk to the Discos; their attitude is worrisome. Members of my community in Igbere are planning to sue the Discos to court because they are giving people bills there when they did not give them electricity at all. However, the attitude of Nigerians to government property must also change. For example, I see people climbing and destroying bridges; that is not good. There must be give and take attitude for Nigeria to grow. I also believe that we should pay attention to small scale enterprises. They should be the backbone of mega economy.

    But you said the Buhari-led federal government has laid some foundations. What, in concrete terms can be attributed to this government in the past three years?

    As I said earlier, this government is laying important foundations.  For example, three years ago, I wanted to go to Ibadan from Lagos but I couldn’t because there was no road. Today, you can easily drive to Ibadan. Before this administration, I couldn’t go to Abeokuta by road; today, I can. The same thing is happening in the east. This government is working on Enugu-Port Harcourt express road, Enugu-Awka express road, Second Niger Bridge. These are fundamental infrastructural provisions that will boost economic development. As I said, the government can’t do everything in one day, but if you pay attention, you will notice strategic foundation for the take-off of sustainable economic development.

    One of the things that may go against your party and your candidate, President Buhari, in 2019, is the spate of killings and the way the herdsmen’s attack is being handled. His critics said he is unable to act because of tribal sentiments. Are you satisfied with Buhari’s handling of the herdsmen’s killings?

    No leader will be happy to see his people dying; no president will be happy to see his fellow citizens being killed like animals. People giving impression that Buhari does not want to stop the killings are not being fair to him. When I was governor of Abia State, I created a place for cattle dealers in Umunnaochi part of Abia State. That place is still there today. I think we should stop blaming anybody and learn how to tolerate one another. I know we can build a great Nigeria if we put our minds to it. I am a big cattle dealer and I am Igbo. So, I don’t think President Buhari is happy over the killings. It is just unfortunate. It is a problem that should be solved by us and I think our state governors should support the federal government’s efforts. If you look at it well, the killings may have to do with the successful dispersion of the core concentration areas of Boko Haram, leading to these bloody gorrila attacks. Let us be fair to the real Fulani herdsmen who have been with us over the years. From their actions, it seems these killers are not Nigerians. For us Nigerians, let us learn to accept one another and stop blaming God for creating us the way we are.

    But cattle-rearing is a private business; so critics of the federal government’s current plans are asking why government should use our common resources and why it must also give out the people’s land and order establishment of ranches for cattle herders across the country when it has not done the same for every other private business being carried out by common Nigerians?

    I don’t think this is the idea. I am a cattle dealer as I told you. I don’t think the idea is for government to acquire land for anybody. It is private business as you pointed out, so I don’t think the idea is for the government to acquire land for anybody. That won’t be right. The right thing would be for any private businessman to acquire own land for his goat, pigs or cattle. Possibly, what the government is trying to say is this is where you are supposed to have ranches or they are trying to enter into partnership with the private businessmen involved in the business of cattle rearing and distribution.

    The emergence of the political coalition, especially the brake-away R-APC, is poised to affect the fortunes of APC in the forthcoming general election. Is your party aware of the threat?

    Nobody broke away from APC. For those who said they broke away, I am really sorry for those who voted for them. Why should people change political party every four years? If you have a problem at home with your wife, do you always resort to divorce? There is a major problem with our politicians. You hardly hear them talking about the people. I always see them talking about themselves. Things must change. Look, this is why I respect President Buhari as an individual. I was in Anambra State during the last election there. Buhari insisted that nobody should rig election. That is how it should be. Here, everything was debased for the past 10 years. It is painful; we must correct the system.

    What are you doing to survive the threat posed by the coalition to your party or do you really think the coalition is not a threat in 2019?

    I think it is a threat. The coalition is a big threat. I do not share the view that it is not a threat. But let me assure you that APC will successfully fight the threat and become victorious. We are working on it.

    Ndigbo have continuously cried out that they are not given their due under this administration. What hope would Buhari-led APC government offer them in 2019?

    The hope is already there. They did not vote for Buhari in 2015 yet he is doing Southeast roads, bridges and other critical things. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is crying because his neck is on the ground now; he is afraid of EFCC because of the things he did when he was the president. Leaders must be ready to obey the rule of law. When I say leaders I mean all leaders, including Buhari. I am a believer in rule of laws. No matter how ordinary a law is, we must obey it if we want to move forward.

    Since the return of democracy, Ndigbo have been agitating to produce a president of Igbo extraction. How feasible is it to realise that dream on the platform of APC?

    I think it is very feasible in the near future.  Ndigbo did not really vote for Buhari, yet he paid the Biafran ex-servicemen their pension and he is doing many other things for Ndigbo. The hope is there. It touches my mind when people say Buhari is tribalistic.  If we work very hard and support the APC government in 2019, I am sure that the possibility of the emergence of a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in the near future is there. We only have to put our house in order and make the bid. I think if we do that, it is possible.

    Since you left government as Abia State governor and fell out with your successor, you have stayed away until now when you came back as an APC chieftain. Have you really reconciled with your political son and former governor T. A Orji?

    It is not easy to rule a state. When I was there, people thought it is easy. I touched virtually every part of the state. Go round in Abia and see. The primary schools I build then, which were roofed with ordinary zinc are still there like that. Remember that when I became governor, Aba was under siege by criminals. It was one of the promises I made and I fulfilled it. By the time I was through, Aba became the safest commercial city you could think of. I tarred almost every strategic road, from Ohanku to Ibadan road; I built the second bridge in Ogbor Hill; I gave 169 communities electricity and I paid salaries to workers up to the month I left office in spite of the fact that Obasanjo seized our money that month. I As for the former governor, Senator T. A. Orji, my conscience is clear. I did nothing wrong to him. I did not offend him in any way. This man was in jail and I insisted that he should succeed me as governor. To achieve that, I fought everybody, including the then President Obasanjo. At a point they asked me to put my younger brother’s name as governor instead of T. A Orji and I refused. I made him governor, yet he said all sorts of things against me.

    I have forgiven him. I have nothing against him in my mind. I have moved forward. I thank God that I am alive today to tell this story. I thank God that I was able to stand and help someone. He never knew how the battle to make him governor was fought and won. I think the greatest problem in Igboland is envy.

    Do you think it is possible for Abia APC to produce the government?

    Yes, that is what will happen. All we have to do is to produce the right candidate. They said I was the one that picked T. A Orji, so what I decided to do now is to leave our people to choose our candidate.  The process was very democratic all through the ward congress and other state congresses. As soon as our candidate emerges through popular votes, we will back the candidate and ensure victory. To the glory of God, we are very popular in Abia State. The reception we have been getting is very encouraging.

    How are the leaders of APC resolving the crises in most of the state chapters in the Southeast, especially Imo State? Is it true that some of you have taken sides?

    Initially I never knew the problem in Imo APC was so deep. I only knew few weeks to the national congress. My belief is that people should be sincere in their dealings. Recently, Prince Eze Madumere narrated to me what happened. I advised him to go and make peace with the governor. I believe people should show gratitude to those who mentored them. I also believe leaders should be fare in their dealings. So, I believe we are a family and should work together. But allegation about siding one side is not true here. People should be sincere. I am not for or against any side in this matter. What I want and what the leaders of APC in the Southeast want is peace and fairness in the family so that the party will win elections. I can assure you that our leaders in the Southeast zone like, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Ken Nnamani and the others, are on it. They are now working round the clock to settle the frictions in Imo, Enugu and so on. It is a family destined to win, so we will work together and win.

  • We will resolve APC crisis amicably – Kalu

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, says that the leadership of the party is currently engaging in discussions to bring back the New APC splinter group.
    Kalu said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on the sideline of a farewell party held in honour of the Czech Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Pavel Mikes.
    The former governor who said the APC leadership was  committed to resolving its crisis amicably, noted that the leaders were in touch with all aggrieved members to ensure that the party is not consumed by the crisis rocking it.
    Kalu, described the current crisis in the party as a family matter that would soon be brought under control.

    He said that the task which is Paramount to members of the APC was the return of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

    “We have through our new chairman engaged most of them to get them back.

    ”The kind of jubilation, what you people want to have is not what we have at the moment, because we will control it. It is a family matter, in every family you quarrel.

    “Tinubu is busy, he is talking, everybody is busy, and in all arms of the APC we are busy talking to everybody as much as we can. Ali Modu sheriff and everybody you can think about, we are busy talking as much as we can so it is a family matter”, he said.

    He expressed concern about the attitude of some leaders in the country which he said would enhance the growth of democracy.

    He said that rather than leaders concentrating on how to bring the dividends of democracy to Nigerians they are busy fighting one another.

    According to him, Nigeria as a nation ought to have grown past this stage.

    He condemned the claim in some quarters that President Buhari condones the activities of killer herdsmen, particularly in the middle belt.

    The former governor called on state governors to do more and support the Federal government’s efforts in tackling the situation.

    “Nobody in Nigeria today is asking how this country will progress; they are just busy fighting each other which is not the process of democracy.

    ”Democracy cares about the people, it talks about what can you do for the people, it cares about the extent of benefits of democratic process that people would get.

    “We should talk about the people, 190 million Nigerians, 200 million Nigerians that have no food, no good education no good health, how to eradicate the Almajiris these are what commitment leaders should give,” he said

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    The former governor noted that the APC is on track.

    “President Buhari has done very well in most of the things.

    ”We will go back to the drawing board and put economic prosperity, that is where we are lacking,” he said.

    He said, if re-elected in 2019, Buhari would bring new blue prints and attitude to the economy, which would in turn bring prosperity to the people.

    The ambassador earlier in his remarks expressed thanks for the get together organised by the former governor.

    Mikes said that he had enjoyed his stay in the country in the last five years.

  • 2019: Kano solid for Buhari – Ganduje

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State  said on Friday that the chances of President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s elections remain formidable as they have always been over the years.

    Ganduje told former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu who visited him in Government House,Kano that Buhari has “ never lost election in Kano, even when he was in the opposition.”

    “At one time, we were in government, and he was in the opposition, and Buhari won his election here in Kano. Since he started politics in Nigeria, he has not lost election in Kano,” Gnaduje said.

    “So, this time around, his chances are much higher because before he was in one party and the state government was in another party. But this time around, he is the Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under APC and I am the governor of Kano state and I am in APC.

    Read Also: Emir of Kano hails Ganduje

    “So, you can see all the variables that can make him win election are rightly placed here in Kano. So, we know there is no vacancy for any presidential candidate in the Villa except Buhari.

    “For your information, it was here in when Buhari came for a two-day state visit where we were holding a meeting of stakeholders and we told him that we will take him to court if he decided not to contest election. And luckily enough, he escaped our litigation. He succumbed to our request and our pledge and he accepted to contest election.

    “So, a state that offered that kind of threat and he accepted to contest election is a Buhari state. Secondly, Kano state has the highest number of delegates. We have over 400 delegates for the convention and any primary, so, you can see that Kano is a minimum of three states together.

    “So, you can see how important we are. Luckily enough, Buhari is Kano and Kano is Buhari. I think that is the political language here.”

    Kalu claimed those opposing Buhari’s re-election  want Nigeria to return to pre-2015  when treasury looting became the norm.

    “They don’t want us to save money for the poor people. There cannot be Christmas and Sallah every day. We don’t have Sallah every day. They have looted enough; they should allow the masses to benefit,” he said.

    “So, this is why we are here. We will continue to ask you (Ganduje) not to leave President Buhari. He is our President and we are going for four plus four equals to eight. And also for you, four plus four is equal to eight.”

     

  • No mortal power can stop Buhari’s re-election – Emir

    The Emir of Daura, Katsina State, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, declared on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari looks unstoppable in his re-election bid next year, as  no mortal power can constitute any obstacle in his quest.

    “No mortal power will prevent Buhari’s re-election. He has five  more years to go from date,” Umar said while receiving a former governor of Abia State , Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu in his palace.

    “At the end of his second term tenure , Nigerians will even crave for his third term, because of what he might have achieved, God will shame any one against Buhari’s re-election,’’ he added.

    The Emir warned those he said were out to frustrate Buhari’s re-election bid, and said God will shame them

    Kalu had earlier told the emir that some people are bent on frustrating Buhari’s re-election bid, but that their effort would not come to fruition.

    He said a prominent figure from the southern part of the country was among those spearheading the issue, but that Buhari’s noble cause would prevail at end of the day.

    He said the President had “performed excellently in various sectors especially in addressing the problem of corruption” which had given the county a bad name for many years.

    Read Also: Buhari to Nigerians: Shun individualism, sectionalism

    The former governor was in the state as part of sensitization for the actualization of another term for the president, an effort he was making through the National Movement for the Re-election of Buhari.

    Kalu also visited Governor Aminu Bello Masari, and the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman to promote the president’s re-election bid.

    Kalu said Buhari deserves another term in office in view of the people-oriented programs carried out in the country, even as he condemned those unduly criticizing him over his ambition.

    He said “Buhari deserves re-election not criticism to enable him complete the good work he has begun for the country.”

    He added that come 2019 general election; there was no amount of intimidation, blackmail or attacks that could stop the president from seeking another term in office.

    Also speaking, governor Aminu Bello Masari called on Buhari not to be bothered by criticisms, but give attention to his good work for Nigeria.

    Masari described Buhari’s critics as enemies of democracy, with call on Nigerians to come out enmass next year and vote for Buhari, to enable him consolidate on his achievements.

  • Buhari has addressed injustice of June 12 – Kalu

    Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu said on Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari has addressed the injustices  associated with the annulment of June 12 , 1993 Presidential Election, by posthumously acknowledging  Chief MKO Abiola as the winner of the freest and fairest election in the country.

    With the recognition of June 12, Kalu said Buhari as a true democrat has put Abiola in the map of the world.

    Such feat, Buhari said other presidents failed to actualize.

    He said with what Buhari has done in terms of those that lost their lives during the struggle for the actualization of June 12 mandate, God will start forgiving Nigerians .

    Kalu said the decision of Buhari to decorate late Abiola with the highest honours in the land shows that he is a democrat that the people can trust.

    Speaking on arrival from United States at the Lagos Airport, Kalu said Buhari should go a step further by honoring the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission ( NEC), Prof Humphrey Nwosu , who superintended over the elections.

    Besides such honours, Kalu said Buhari should also address the injustices people of the South East suffered during the Biafran Civil War by declaring the region a special area .

    Read Also: I have no case to answer – Kalu

    Such declaration, he said would have finally addressed the problems the people of the region suffered culminating in the loss of money and property.

    Kalu said Buhari has proven to Nigerians that with the acknowledgment of June 12, Presidential Election, he will allow the will of the people to be actualized no matter how long it takes.

    He said the honour Buhari has given to democracy by acknowledging June 12, 1993 elections shows that he is steps  ahead of other presidents who failed to do the needful,

    Kalu said Buhari should be commended for giving financial autonomy to the state judiciary and houses of assembly.

    He said the new bill signed by the president, which gives autonomy to the judiciary and legislature should be extended to the federal arm of government.

    Kalu said:  “I was the first governor that declared June 12 public holiday and Obasanjo wrote me a letter to challenge it.

    “Now that Buhari is working, he should also remember Humfrey Nwosu, the man that conducted the freest and fairest election in Nigeria. He should also be honored.

    “Buhari should go s step further and declare the south east a social area because people in the region were given ill treatment. They lost mine and property.”

    Said he: “He has already made a good step by paying the Biafran police their entitlements.

  • N3.2bn fraud: 2 witnesses testify in Kalu’s trial

    N3.2bn fraud: 2 witnesses testify in Kalu’s trial

    A prosecution witness on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Lagos in the ongoing trial of former Governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu, for a N3.2 billion fraud, that a search report had linked Slok Nigeria Ltd to Kalu as the owner.

    Mr Oladipo Ayoola, an EFCC witness, told the court that he was a compliance officer in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Oct. 31, 2016 preferred a 34-count charge against Kalu, his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogu and Kalu’s company —  Slok Nigeria Ltd.

    All the accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The witness told the court that the EFCC requested some documents from the bank which the bank produced.

    EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), tendered the account statements of Neya Nigeria Ltd, Zerok Construction Nigeria Ltd and Slok Nigeria Ltd in evidence.

    Jacobs asked the witness if he knew the persons that conducted the transactions and the witness responded in the negative.

    Jacobs: Look at Exhibit P 33, the search report done on the third defendant (Slok) on July 25, 2001. Who is the major shareholder?

    Witness: Orji Uzor Kalu is.

    Counsel to the first defendant (Kalu), Mr Gordy Uche (SAN),cross-examined the witness, who told the court that he had been working with GTB since 2004.

    He said he did not make the entries in the statements of accounts or open the account as the account officer.

    When asked if he knew that the companies were sister companies, he replied: I got to know about that during my conciliation of the accounts.

    The commission had earlier called its second witness, Mr Olusegun Adesomoju, and while being led in examination-in-chief, told the court that he was a compliance officer in First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

    The prosecution tendered the statement and certificate of identification of the third defendant’s (SLOK) account in FCMB.

    The court had adjourned until today to enable the defendants go through the tendered exhibits and commence their cross-examination.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court at 1.02 p.m., the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution witness was still on his way to the court.

    Jacobs asked the court for a 15-minute “stand down” to enable the witness get to the court.

    The court rose and resumed sitting about 1:45 p.m. with the witness arriving and mounting the witness box.

    Counsel for the first defendant, Mr Gordy Uche (SAN) commenced cross-examination of the witness and asked if he had ever worked for First Inland bank to which responded “No sir”.

    The witness told the court that other than the narrations of the third defendant’s statement of account, he knew nothing about the account.

    Adesomoju further said that he was not the account officer of the account and that he merely read out what he saw in the documents.

    When asked if he made any statement to the EFCC in relation to the matter, the witness responded in the negative.

    Uche asked: ”Go through the statement, from the first page to the last, can you see the name Orji Uzor Kalu, on any of the entries? ”

    Witness: No sir

    Counsel for the second defendant, Mr Joseph Ochu, in his cross-examination asked the witness: Tell the court if you saw the name of the second defendant, Mr Ude Udeogu in any of the entries?

    Witness: It is not there.

    Mr Kingsley Nwofo (SAN), counsel to the third defendant also began his cross-examination and asked: “From the exhibit, is there any credit entry from you state government?”

    Witness :No there isn’t.

    Nwofo: Did you see the printer that printed this exhibit while it was printing?

    Witness: It was printed from my computer in the office this year.

    Nwofo: What date is written on the document?

    Witness: Feb 10, 2006.

    Nwofo: Do you realize this document has been front loaded to this court since 2007?

    Witness: They were stored electronically but printed this year, even if you print it out tomorrow, it would still have the same date.

    Nwofo: Do you see from the entries in the statement that the account was an active and trading account?

    Witness : Yes sir, within that period.

    During re-examination by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi, the witness told the court: I was not the one that entered the records or processed the transactions.

    Justice Idris adjourned the case until March 7 for continuation of trial.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trial which started at about 1.45 p.m. ended at 4.15 p.m.

    Orji Uzor Kalu was alleged to have utilised his company to retain in the account of a First Inland bank, now FCMB, the sum of N200 million.

    The sum is alleged to have formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.

    Slok Nigeria Ltd and a man, Emeka Abone, who is still at large, were also alleged to have retained in the company’s account the sum of N200 million on behalf of the first accused (Kalu).

    They allegedly used Many Bank, (now Fidelity Bank Plc), Spring Bank Plc, the defunct Standard Trust Bank and Fin Land Bank, now First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

    The accused were alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts which funds were said to belong to the Abia Government.

    Cumulatively, the accused were alleged to have diverted over N3.2 billion from the state government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor.

    The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibitions) Act, 2005.

    The offences also violated the Money Laundering Act of 1995 (as amended) Act No.9 of 2002 and Section 477 of the Criminal Code, Law of the Federation, 1990.(NAN)

  • Court orders ABSU to restore Kalu’s withdrawn degree

    Court orders ABSU to restore Kalu’s withdrawn degree

    A High Court in Isuikwuato, Abia State, has ordered the state university to restore a degree certificate, which was withdrawn from former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

    Justice Agwu Umah Kalu held that the university’s withdrawal of the degree was unconstitutional.

    He directed the university’s Senate (the second defendant) to immediate restore the certificate to Kalu.

    Justice Kalu held that the claimant’s suit was meritorious; he granted all the reliefs sought.

    The judge nullified the university’s Senate ad-hoc investigation panel report on allegations of fraud and breach of regulations concerning Kalu’s admission and graduation.

    According to the judge, the university’s March 1, 2013 decision to cancel and withdraw Kalu’s degree without affording him an opportunity to defend “the grave allegations against him” amounted to a breach of the claimant’s right to a fair hearing guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

    “Finally, an order issues from this court mandating and/or directing the second defendant to immediately restore the degree result and certificate of the claimant Kalu Orji,” the judge ordered.

    Kalu filed the suit on May 27, 2013. He sought a declaration that the university withdrew his certificate without affording him an opportunity to defend the serious allegations against him.

    He sought an order quashing the proceedings, as well as an order mandating the university to restore the degree result and certificate to him.

    The university, in its defence, argued that the suit was premature because the claimant did not seek or exhaust the domestic remedies as provided in Section 9(5) of the ABSU Edict No. 5 of 1995 before suing.

    ABSU urged the court to hold that the suit was, therefore, incompetent and robbed the court its jurisdiction to hear and determine it.

    The university Senate withdrew the degree certificate it awarded Kalu while he was a sitting governor.

    It said there was a violation of its academic regulations on admission-by-transfer, which rendered the offer irregular, ab initio.  It said Kalu did not complete the mandatory six semesters (three academic years of study), but spent only two semesters in all.

    But, Justice Kalu dismissed the university’s objections and held that the maxim audi alterem partem accentuates the rule of fair hearing.

    “It lays down that no man should be condemned unheard. It is the first principle of the civilised jurisprudence that a person facing charges must be given an opportunity to be heard before any decision is taken against him,” the judge said.

    The judge said it was clear that the defendants did not accord the claimant his right to fair hearing.

    “He was not informed of the petition written against him. He was not shown the exhibit ‘E’. The claimant was not informed of the setting up of the Senate ad-hoc panel to investigate the matter of the exhibit ‘E’ as it concerned the claimant.

    “The claimant was not invited to the sittings of the said ad-hoc panel and the second defendant before each arrived at the decision adverse to the interest of the claimant.

    “In a nutshell, the defendants did not afford the claimant common courtesy, decency and natural justice.

    “Even God, in all His omniscience, did not pass a sentence upon Adam before he was called upon to make his defence.

    “In the immortal words of Lord Denning in Pett v. Greyhound Racing Association [1968] 2 ALL ER 545, when a man’s reputation or livelihood is at stake, he not only has a right to speak by his mouth, he also has a right to speak by counsel, if he so desires.

    “Following all I have said above, the court holds that the suit of the claimant is meritorious and grants all the reliefs sought by the claimant,” the judge held.

  • Abia 2019: Kalu and the fortunes of APC in Abia

    Abia 2019: Kalu and the fortunes of APC in Abia

    The recent All Progressives Congress’ mega rally in Umuahia, in which former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and many other leaders formally joined the party, has increased the tempo of politics in Abia State. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, takes a look at the likely effect of the development on the fortunes of APC in the state in 2019.

    UP till January 8, 2018, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has given observers the impression that it does not have any serious opponent in the 2019 General Election. But that changed following the grand outing of the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 9, 2018, when APC literally shut the state with a mega rally in which it celebrated a rare harvest of powerful politicians and leaders of Abia, including former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, who automatically emerged as the party leader in the state. Other influential politicians who formally switched over to APC that day include the former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Martins Azubuike, a former PDP stalwart from Isialangwa North Constituency; former Deputy Governor, Chris Akomas (Progressive Peoples Alliance), former PDP governorship aspirant, Chief Uche Ogah, and retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Chief Azubuko Udah, amongst others.

    Explaining the enthusiasm of the new found APC in the state to take over government in Abia State, the former governor and now leader of APC in the state, Orji Uzor Kalu, told The Nation on Friday that the APC is poised to take over governance in Abia State. He confided that virtually all the political leaders in the state, most of who passed through him in 1999 when he became governor of the state, are now crossing over to APC and that together, they will evolve strategies that will ensure victory.

    Sources said fear within and outside Abia PDP that APC may emerge a major threat in the state by 2019, was expressed even before the grand rally, which took place at the Umuahia Township Stadium. According to Chief Ukandu Ahaoma from Isuikwuato area, every serious politician in the state realised that a major political re-alignment was on when it became clear that associates of former governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, were meeting in his Igbere home and other venues in Abia, Abuja and Lagos in preparation for a grand defection to APC. The aim, of course, is to join hands and remove the PDP state government, which they agreed was not performing well enough. It also became known that leaders of APC in the state were lobbying seriously to ensure that Kalu and his supporters join the party.”

    In one of such meetings held at Kalu’s country home in Igbere, Abia State, shortly before the rally, his associates in attendance mapped out plans to chase out PDP and take over Abia State government in 2019. The Nation gathered that the meeting, in which far reaching strategic decisions were taken, was well attended both by Kalu’s old political associates and PDP leaders. Among his influential associates that attended the meeting were the Pioneer Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Tony Ukasanya; Senator Chris Adighije, Senator Bob Nwanunu and a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Ralph Egbu. A source said a powerful delegation from the leadership of Abia APC was also at the meeting.   Expressing enthusiasm that the crossover of the leaders to APC was enough to win PDP in the state, Ukasanya, according to a source, said with the coming of Kalu into APC, “those who made Abia politics thick were back in the same fold.” He was quoted as saying: “OUK made many people in Abia politics and I’m happy those people are now in APC. Going by the calibre of men and women we now have in APC in Abia, what is needed is little work for us to win the state in 2019.”

    Explaining APC’s belief that the presence of experienced politicians in the state chapter of the party will give it the needed edge, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Sam Nkire, reportedly said “Now that we have someone like OUK in our fold, APC has advantage in the state, and we should work hard enough to take Abia from PDP in the next election. APC is in charge in Nigeria, we should not be afraid in Abia, we should work like those who are in charge,” he said.

    Former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Ralph Egbu, in a telephone chat on Friday, Egbu identified three reasons why he believes APC will dethrone PDP in Abia in 2019. “I am convinced that APC will win in Abia State in 2019 because our people want to identify with the federal government. We know the advantage of being in the party that controls the federal government. Apart from that, our people know that if we are part of the mainstream, we would not be denied of our legitimate share. I can tell you that the quality of federal roads now being done in the South-East is better. Apart from these two, I am sure APC will win in 2019 because the whole people of Abia want change. We are tired of PDP government that has made the state to remain at the back. The people desperately want change and given the caliber of members that APC now parade in Abia, no one needs to be told that APC is now the most credible option to PDP.”

    Fight against propaganda

    One of the challenges APC may have to contain with to achieve its dream of taking over the Government House in Umuahia is the claim that the party is not an Igbo-friendly party. Asked how the party will survive the allegation that APC is a Fulani party being used as a tool to colonise the Igbo, Kalu told The Nation, “That propaganda will no longer work here in Abia and in the whole of the South-East zone. We all know that APC is a national party; it is not any individual’s party. This is just a cheap lie. Is Chief Oyegun, the National Chairman of the party, a Fulani man? Am I a Fulani man? Is George Mughalu a Fulani man? It’s all propaganda. President Muhammadu Buhari and every other member of the party has equal stake in the party. APC is a national party and this is the time for us all to be part of the party,” he said.    A former Secretary to the State Government in Orji Uzor Kalu’s government, Chief Ralph Egbu, responding to the same issue said, “I think this type of wicked propaganda is one of the reasons why we are all happy that leaders like Chief Orji Uzor Kalu have joined APC in Abia. To properly project the image of APC in Abia and other parts of the South-East, we need courageous and bold leaders like the former governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu. He is the type of politician that can properly articulate the needs of the people. This is what was lacking before.”

    Another respondent, an APC chieftain in Abia State and the Director-General of Buhari South-East Youth Movement (BUSEYM), Engr. Onwuneme Nwabueze, also told The Nation on Thursday that with Kalu’s new moves, APC is sure of victory. “Since the former governor of Abia, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, joined APC, the party has received new vigour. Of course, you know that as a former governor and a most influential politician, he has automatically become the leader of the party in the state. This has changed a lot of things. APC can no longer be pushed around in Abia. The party now has a leader in the state, a leader who has energy, who has the necessary connections, who has influence, the right vision and what it takes to dislodge PDP in the state,” he said.  At the mega rally, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, re-echoed this enthusiasm when he said “I want to say we are satisfied with what we have seen here today.  These people here, who cast the votes, are the greatest dignitaries and they have asked me to tell Buhari that he must run and win in 2019. I will pass that message to him. You have also told me that Abia is in bondage and that APC should take over, we shall do that,” Oyegun assured.

    New strategy

    Kalu, while acknowledging the fact that APC would win the state in 2019, however, told The Nation that for APC in the state today, “politics should no longer be played in the state capital, but at the various political wards.

    “I assure you that I and other leaders of the party will not support any candidate until a proper primary is conducted. We will not repeat the mistakes of PDP. For us, there will be no imposition. We are not going to allow a situation where some people stay in Umuahia and write people’s names, claiming that they won elections. This is PDP way. Our strategy is that people should go back to their homes, their wards and mobilise their people. It is after aspirants have won votes in their wards that the state leadership will back them,” he said on Friday.

    It would be recalled that, Kalu was reported earlier to have said in one of the re-alignment meetings before the rally that when he was governor, Abia State University was getting subvention as well as Abia State Polytechnic, College of Education, Arochukwu and College of Health Technology, Aba.

    “All those things have ceased because Governor Ikpeazu is in bondage of Theodore Orji.”

    He had therefore promised that when APC takes over the state, “we shall bring back free education which this government has scrapped.”

  • Kalu ‘s N3.2b case: Star witness on the run, says EFCC

    Kalu ‘s N3.2b case: Star witness on the run, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that its star witness in the trial of former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, is evading appearance.

    Kalu, Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited were arraigned October 31, 2016 by the EFCC before Justice Mohammed Idris on a 34-count charge of N3.2billion fraud.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, EFCC counsel Mr Rotimi Jacob informed the court that the matter was due for continuation of trial but that he could not proceed because he could not find his star witness.

    Jacob told Justice Idris that the witness, Mr Mike Udoh, had repeatedly made himself unavailable whenever he was due to appear in court to give his testimony.

    He accused some unknown persons of being behind Udoh’s absence and vowed that they would be prosecuted.

    He said: “Our main witness that we intended to call, we have approached him for more than six months. We have noticed that each time the matter is coming up, he will just travel to Umuahia or Calabar or Cameroun.

    “He always has the dates of the matter and I was forced to apply for a subpoena. Your Lordship signed one, which we took to the Abia State Government because we found out that he was a civil servant. But he has since left the service.

    “He was supposed to come today but switched off his phone. EFCC went to his house in Umuahia yesterday and this morning but met his wife who said he travelled to Calabar. Despite all our efforts, we have not been able to bring him.”

    He prayed for a short adjournment of about a week to enable the agency round up its case.

    Jacob added: “We have information that some people are behind his not showing up. We are investigating and will charge the persons. As we speak, our operatives are in Abia, but they can’t pick up the wife in place of the husband.”

    Kalu’s counsel, Mr Awa Kalu SAN, accused the EFCC of a ploy to foist an adjournment on the court.

    The former Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice said: “The defendants have been dilligent in presenting themselves for trial, but the prosecution has been engaging in push and starts. The second defendant is a retired civil servant.

    The first defendant (Kalu) is a politically exposed person. There are four senior counsel with at least one junior all at the defendants’ cost. Yet we are here only to be told of circumstances beyond the prosecution’s control? There are many witnesses listed by the prosecution. The non-appearance of one of them cannot foist an appearance on this case.”

    Second defendant (Udeogu)’s counsel, Solo Akuma SAN, adopted Kalu’s submissions, describing the EFCC’s claim as application as “a frivolous one.”

    He said: “We abandoned everything else to come to court. My client is complaining he cannot afford my bill. The defence has never made any application for adjournment. All adjournments have been at the prosecution’s instance. They must be compelled to close their case, otherwise Your Lordship should award costs to cover our transport and hotel bills.”

    Counsel to thrird defendant Slok nigeria Ltd, C.C. Nwofo lamented the economic damages the firm has suffered because of the trial and adjournments.

    He said: “The third defendant is a company which has suffered and lost contracts of about $500million from China Exim Bank for ship acquisition. About $350million has been lost from African Bank in Egypt. 3,000 workers have lost their jobs because of this case. 250 expatriate workers have lost their jobs because of this case.

    “We have not been paid our fees in this case, but I’m doing it because I believe this case will end one day and I’ll be paid. If they are not able to proceed, I propose a cost of N10million.”

    But Jacob, who urged the court to uphold his prayer, said it was not frivolous.

    “If I have that man (Udoh) today, I am comfortable to close my case. I am entitled to five adjournments. We want to use this week to get this witness. We now know his house. We must get him. I believe we will. No amount of shielding will protect him.”

    In a bench ruling Justice Idris upheld Jacob’s application for adjournment and declined the defendants’ application for cost. He noted that this was the final adjournment it would allow.

    Justice Idris said: “Where a witness that ought to attend court, fails to attend court and summons has been issued and served on the same witness, then the prosecution would pursue the appropriate provisions of the ACJA to compel the attendance of the witness in court…This trial will no longer be adjourned on account of unavailability of witness to attend court… It is unfortunate that a trial, which has been adjourned for hearing from day to day could not proceed due to witness unavailability,” the judge said.

    The case continues on January 22 and 23.

  • Alleged N3.2b fraud: Kalu’s trial stalled again

    Alleged N3.2b fraud: Kalu’s trial stalled again

    The trial of a former Governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu, charged with N3.2 billion fraud,on Wednesday suffered another setback at a Federal High Court, Lagos, as the judge was unavailable.

    Kalu was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) alongside his former Commissioner for Finance, Ude Udeogo, on 34 counts bordering on fraud.

    Also charged is Kalu’s company, Slok Nigerai Ltd; the accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Justice Mohammed Idris was absent at Wednesday’s scheduled proceedings as he was said to be attending a conference outside the state.

    Consequently, the court fixed continuation of trial for Nov. 28, 29, 30 and Dec. 1.

    On Oct. 3, the absence of Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had stalled trial as he wrote to the court informing it of his absence and asked for a short adjournment which was scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8.

    The EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016, slammed fraud charges on Kalu and Udeogo.

    The accused had allegedly committed the offences between August 2001 and October 2005 by utilising his company to retain in the account of a First Inland Bank, (now FCMB), the sum of N200 million.

    The prosecution said the money formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the Abia State Government.

    Slok Nigeria Ltd and Emeka Abone, still at large, were also alleged to have retained in the company’s account the sum of N200 million on behalf of the first accused.

    The accused were also alleged to have retained about N2.5 billion in different accounts which funds were said to belong to the Abia  Government.

    Cumulatively, in all the counts, the accused were alleged to have diverted over N3.2 billion from the Abia Government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor.

    The offences contravened Sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, Laws of the Federation 2005 as well as the Money Laundering Act of 1995 (as amended by the amendment Act No. 9 of 2002 and Section 477 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990.

    NAN