N3.2 billion Fraud: How Orji Kalu diverted Abia state funds into company’s account- Witness
A Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday heard that funds were moved from the joint account and major account of Abia state government domiciled account in United Bank for Africa (UBA) and then to Slok Nigeria Limited, a company linked to the embattled former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu.
A prosecution witness, Deputy Director, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Chidi Chukwuka, Tuesday tendered documents indicating that funds were diverted to Slok Nigeria.
Led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, the witness said the amount moved without being accounted for are: N120,000,000; N17,625,000; N4,660,000 and N7,000,000.
According to the document presented, the Cheques used to withdraw the aforementioned sums were in the name of the Chief of Staff of Abia State during the Kalu’s administration, Theodore Orji.
The investigation carried out indicated that the account was opened in 1999 by Orji Uzor Kalu while he was still the Governor of Abia State.
Chukwuka also said that he handled the petition from Abia Leaders Forum in 2006 which was led to the Masters of Operation of this case
He said that the petition alleged misappropriation of Government funds by the Governor, the properties the governor was holding in Nigeria, the governor tampered with Ecological funds, the $700,000 (valued in 2018 at $1,289,000) property obtained in Maryland, USA through public fund, the Governor being an executive member of a company among other issues.
However, Jacob sought for an adjournment to enable him certify some documents which would be tendered through the witness.
Counsel to the first and second defendant’s professor Awal Kalu SAN and K.C Nwofo SAN did not oppose the adjournment provided the prosecution will undertake that this will be the last one.
Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case to 24th April, 2018 for the witness to furnished the court with more substantial document.
