The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has applied to Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court Abuja, seeking transfer of the retrial of a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, and two others over an alleged N7.1 billion fraud, to its Lagos Division.
Counsel to the EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe brought the application pursuant to sections 18, 19, 22, and 45 of the Federal High Court Act 2010 and section 93 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
By the application, the EFCC wants an order transferring the case with charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/56/2007, to the Lagos division of the court.
Atolagbe asked his application on 5 grounds, among which are that the Abuja division of the court lacked the requisite territorial jurisdiction to hear the defendants in the instant charge.
At a resumed sitting on Thursday, Justice Ekwo said he would not be able to take the application in view of the approaching Easter holidays.
Consequently, the court has fixed May 17, 2022, for hearing and determination of the application.
Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), appeared for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Solo Akuma announced appearance for Jones Udeogu, while Goddy Uche (SAN), stood for Slok Nigeria Limited.
Credit: PUNCH.
