12 years jail for Senator Uzor Orji Kalu

12 years jail for Senator Uzor Kalu

Yesterday, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced a former governor of Abia State and serving Senator, Orji Kalu, to 12 years’ imprisonment. He has been answering charges over the embezzlement of ₦7.1bn, while he was in office. For a case that has dragged for twelve years, it is sure a victory for Nigerians.

Justice Mohammed Idris convicted Kalu alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Jones Udeogu, who served under him as the director of finance and account at the Abia State Government House in Umuahia.

In his ruling, Justice Idris said “Let me remind those who hold positions of authority in this country that they shall be held responsible for their conducts. When they act contrary to the law, the same law will catch up with them. I will like to borrow a leaf from the words of the late Dele Giwa, who stated that, ‘No evil deed will go unpunished; any evil done by man to man will be redressed, if not now, certainly later. If not by man, then by God, for the victory of evil over good is temporary.’

The ruling has sparked various reactions, from politicians and public affairs analyst. Kalu has long moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and most people were worried that he may get away with the crime. However, yesterday’s ruling brought the case to rest.