N3.2bn Fraud: Again, Kalu Loses Bid To Stop Witness From Giving Evidence

Again,  a former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Monday,  April 10, 2017, failed in his bid to stop a prosecution witness,  Christiana O. a manager with the United Bank of Africa (UBA)  Umuaka branch, Umuahia,  Abia State, from giving further evidence in a criminal charge of N3.2 billion  brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

At the last sitting, Kalu, though his lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, had raised an objection to the witness  giving further testimony on the grounds of an alleged error in the additional proof of evidence filed by the prosecution.

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However,  during today’s hearing, Justice Idris said that granting the prayer of the defence would amount to injustice on the part of the prosecution, since PW2 had already started giving her evidence in the case.

The judge also held that the signatory to the additional proof of evidence had complied with the provisions of professional conduct.

Consequently, PW2, while being led in in evidence by the prosecution counsel,  Rotimi Jacobs,  SAN,  gave a blow-by-blow account of some bank drafts allegedly  issued  at Government House,  Umuahia  during the administration of the former governor.

The bank drafts were  tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibits B1 to B33.

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In his testimony,  PW2 told the court that  the sum of N25 million and another N15 million were  paid into the  account of one M. A. Udoh on April 7, 2005.

She further revealed that Udoh allegedly  collected the money the same day.

“Other drafts for N15 million and N26 million were issued in favour of R.K Madu  on August 2, 2005.

” He also withdrew the  money the same day from Inland Bank Plc., ” she added.

However,  while under cross-examination  by Goddy  Uche, SAN, counsel to the first defendant, the witness stated that she did not see the name or picture of Kalu in the mandate card.

” Kalu did not come to me to open or process any of the bank drafts,” she told the court.

The case was adjourned to  April 11, 2017 for continuation of trial