The Federal High Court in Lagos will on December 2 deliver judgement on the trial of a former governor of Abia, Senator Orji Kalu, and two others for alleged fraud of N7.65 billion.
Justice Mohammed Idris fixed judgement day on Tuesday after the prosecution and the defence adopted their written addresses and canvassed final arguments in the case.
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Kalu alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited; and a former director of finance and accounts during Kalu’s tenure, Udeh Udeogu.
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the amended 39-count charges.
Kalu had on August 29 closed his defence in the 12-year-old case.
Altogether, the EFCC presented 19 witnesses before the court.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, told the court on Tuesday that contrary to Kalu’s statement that Abia State did not have as much as N7 billion during his administration, information from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation showed total allocation to Abia State under Kalu was N137 billion.
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The defence, however, urged the court to dismiss the charges, acquit and discharge their clients.
Justice Idris, after listening to both parties, fixed December 2 for judgement.
