former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, from prison.Justice Mohammed Liman had fixed June 2 to hear a motion on notice filed
by Kalu seeking release from prison based on the pronouncement of the
Supreme Court in Udeogu’s appeal.
In his application through his counsel, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the
former governor asked the court to order his release from the custody of
the Nigeria Correctional Service, Kuje, Abuja, following the
nullification of his conviction by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court in a May 8, 2020 judgment nullified the trial and
conviction of Kalu and others on the grounds that the judge, who handled
the case lacked jurisdiction.
On December 5, 2019, Kalu was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment while
Udeogu got a 10-year sentence.
On May 8, the Supreme Court nullified the trial of Kalu and his
co-convicts.
The apex court held that Mohammed Idris, the trial judge, who had been
elevated to the Court of Appeal at the time of the case, ought not to
have presided over the matter while he was an appellate court Judge.