Kalu: Star witness on the run, says EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that its star witness in the trial of former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu is evading appearance.

Kalu, Udeh Jones Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited were arraigned October 31, 2016 by the EFCC before Justice Mohammed Idris on a 34-count charge of N3.2billion fraud.

They pleaded not guilty.

At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacob said he could not proceed with trial because his star witness, Mr Mike Udoh, had repeatedly made himself unavailable to give his testimony.

He accused some unknown persons of being behind Udoh’s absence.

He said: “Our main witness that we intended to call, we have approached him for more than six months. We have noticed that each time the matter is coming up, he will just travel to Umuahia or Calabar or Cameroun.

“He was supposed to come today but switched off his phone. EFCC went to his house in Umuahia yesterday and this morning but met his wife who said he travelled to Calabar. Despite all our efforts, we have not been able to bring him.”

He prayed for a short adjournment of about a week to enable the agency round up its case.

Kalu’s counsel, Mr Awa Kalu (SAN), accused the EFCC of a ploy to foist an adjournment on the court.

Justice Idris upheld Jacob’s application for adjournment. He noted that this was the final adjournment it would allow.The case continues on January 22 and 23.

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