Orji Uzor Kalu to remain in prison despite Supreme court ruling nullifying his conviction

Former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu is to remain in Kuje prison despite last Friday’s ruling by the Supreme court nullifying his 12-year-conviction.

Recall that the Apex court on Friday May 8, nullified the December 2019 judgment which sentenced Kalu, and one Ude Udeogo, to 12 years and 10 years imprisonment respectively, after both men were found guilty of diverting N7.6 billion belonging to the state government during their time in office.

Many of Kalu’s associates had expected him to have been released from Kuje prison and reunited with his family.

However this is yet to happen as the Apex Court did not issue any order for Kalu’s release because he did not file any application for such. The judgment only covers the appeal from Udeogu who challenged the propriety of a Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, to have tried him and Kalu in December 2019.

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Correctional Service, Jaafar Ahmed, has also refused to release Kalu because there was no order from the Supreme Court for his immediate release.

It is not yet certain when Kalu will be approaching the Court of Appeal to ask for his release.

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