Abia groups petition Buhari, demand speedy trial of ex-Governor, Kalu

By Emmanuel Uzodinma 

Three socio-political groups in Abia State have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over the delay in the trial of former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu for allegedly looting the state during his eight-year administration.

In a joint statement signed by the leaders of the groups- NdiAbia League, Abia Youths Consultative Forum and Abia Peoples Congress, they lamented that the trial of the former governor had been ongoing since 2007 and urged the President to order the EFCC to expedite the trial, to ensure that justice was done on the matter.

“It is shocking that the trial of the former governor of Abia state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu by the EFCC is still ongoing eight years after he left office.

“Abians are disturbed by this ugly development. We wonder why up till now, the former governor’s prosecution has not been concluded. We hope the EFCC has not been compromised on the matter as it is being insinuated in some quarters.

“We are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that no corrupt person, no matter his status, escapes prosecution. The President should order the EFCC to expedite action on the trial of the former governor so that justice would be seen to be duly done,” the statement read.

Spokesmen for the groups, Udoka Nnanna, Davidson Kalu, Ezinwa Ukaogo, who commended the President for his determination to fight corruption, further urged him not to allow any agency of the government mess up his anti corruption war.