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Tag: Orji Kalu

PDP leaders hold a closed-door meeting with Orji Kalu, days after Tinubu close-door meeting
The Chief Whip of the Senate, and former governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Kalu, on Thursday afternoon received newly elected officials of the People’s Democratic Party in his Aso Rock, Abuja residence.
The team was led by the National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu alongside other newly elected officials of the party.
Anyanwu, a former Senator and other newly elected officials of the PDP arrived at the residence of the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District at precisely 12.28pm.
Anyanwu who wore a navy blue native attire was welcomed by Kalu’s associates and then led straight with his executives to meet the principal officer of the upper chamber.
On sighting one another, both men engaged in pleasantries and embraced each other then proceeded for an indoor meeting.
As the meeting progressed, other executives of the party arrived in turns at Kalu’s residence to join the meeting.
The visit comes amidst strong talks that the after the former Abia State governor held a closed door meeting with Tinubu, Leader of All Progressive congress (APC)
December 2, 2021
You are a beneficiary of crisis – Orji Kalu slams IPOB lawyer
It has come to my notice, the statement issued by one of the counsels to Maazi Nnamdi Kanu, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in which I am very disappointed in him.
He rightly acknowledged that I was scheduled to visit his client and at the same time, claimed that I violated the guidelines stipulated for visiting his client. According to him, he was supposed to be present at the 2pm meeting on Monday.
Several people, including Barrister Ejiofor, have tried to misinterpret and misinform the public about my visit to my brother, Nnamdi. I also read a report stating that I took pictures with Nnamdi and also tweeted same on my Twitter account.
For the records, the Department of State Services (DSS) did not break any protocol during my visit as I fulfilled all the requirements expected of me before I saw Nnamdi. The DSS affirmed that I cannot see Nnamdi without the application of his lawyers which I diligently did.
Probably, Barrister Ejiofor may have expected me to arrive at 4pm for a scheduled 2pm visit. What many people refer to as “African time” is not my style. I strictly keep to time and it is a discipline I have upheld since my childhood. I arrived the DSS headquarters at 1:50 PM; went through the necessary protocols and met Nnamdi at 2:17 PM. I stayed with him until 2: 57 PM. Even though he asked that I stayed longer but I had to leave because of other engagements.
During my visit to Nnamdi, I did not even take my mobile phone along and no photograph was taken. The photograph people are circulating was the one I took with him when I visited him at the Nigerian Correctional Service Medial Security Custodial Centre, Kuje in 2016 and later, his parents in 2017. My Twitter account has also been inactive .
I don’t also know if Barrister Ejiofor is aware that Nnamdi is not under compulsion to see anyone. If he didn’t want to see me, he could have as well declined, but he was glad to see me and also expressed deep appreciations.
Ejiofor’s anger seems to be borne out of vexation of not being around to listen to our conversations. He sounds like someone who is a beneficiary of the crisis.
People like him may not see the economic damage the Southeast is experiencing because of the weekly sit-at-home. He does not understand that people can protest in peace without disrupting economic activities and going violent.
He does not understand that there are people whose livelihood solely depends on daily hustle. If you have people’s interest at heart, you should as well consider their security, economic prosperity and peaceful livelihood.
I call on Ejiofor to be patriotic, rise above primordial and pecuniary interest and put the interest of the people of the Southeast and the country first.
December 2, 2021
BREAKING: EFCC To Prosecute Orji Kalu All Over Again – Bawa
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdularasheed Bawa has said former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu will be prosecuted by the agency all over again.
The anti-graft agency boss also said he is not perturbed over the threats to his life and he is determined to prosecute the many pending cases under trial.
Bawa disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists during the weekly ministerial chat at the State House in Abuja.
He gave insight into ongoing prosecutions, challenges, and increasing cases of financial crimes since his assumption into office 100 days ago.
He also clarified reports accredited to him concerning the involvement of a Minister in the laundering of about $37 million into real estate. He disclosed that he simply made reference to an old case involving a former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Madueke.
The EFCC Chairman further disclosed that since his first 100 days in office, the agency has been working on a number of proactive strategies including a special control unit against money laundering, established particularly to address non-designated financial institutions including car dealers, real estate, jewellery dealers, among others.
Bawa said he is confident that when the unit is fully established, corruption will significantly decline in the country.
He then added that the agency is equally working towards the development of a biometric ownership database to address money laundering.
According to him, most proceeds of crime are laundered through real estate and have become a huge challenge. He gives examples of property acquired especially in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt where billions of naira are laundered through this means.
He, however, declined to disclose actual perpetrators or the properties involved.
He revealed that since his assumption, a number of recoveries have been made including N6billion, $161million, £13,000 pounds, €1,730 among others.
Internet fraudsters numbering 1,502 have also been apprehended between January to June 2021and efforts are underway to file about 800 of them. A hundred cases will be filed in court.
June 17, 2021
Orji Kalu And Governor Sani Bello Of Niger State Meet Behind Closed Door
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has just arrived the Niger State Government House, Minna for a visit to the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.
Senator Kalu was ushered into Governor’s office, where he was received by the Governor and his cabinet, Kalu and Bello later proceeded for an indoor meeting.
Kalu arrived at the power state at exactly 11:30 am alongside the President of Belema Oil, Engr Jack Rich; The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency FERMA, Hon. Femi Bamisile, former Chief of Staff to Abia State Government, Hon Mascot Uzor Kalu, other associates, and his aides.
February 25, 2021
NDDC: No dime paid for contracts I facilitated, Kalu tells Akpabio
Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Monday said that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not paid the contractors who built the roads he facilitated.
Kalu was reacting to the communique written by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, where he reportedly mentioned ex-governors Emmanuel Uduaghan, James Ibori, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and others to have benefited from several contracts awarded by the NDDC.
In a statement by Barrister Emeka Nwala, Kalu said he believed the issues at stake in the NDDC have to do with missing funds and not contracts awarded or jobs executed.
He expressed worry over his name being unjustly tarnished and “used to sell newspapers” by allegations being raised by Akpabio.
According to the Chief Whip of the Senate, the road projects mentioned by the Honourable Minister are the interventions he facilitated for the communities as a private citizen before he became a Senator.
Kalu revealed his name is mentioned because he used his letter headed paper to write a sympathetic letter to the NDDC in 2016 requesting and pleading with the intervention body to rescue roads in in parts of Abia state.
He also insisted his relationship with Senator Akpabio dates years back and long before he (Kalu) became a governor.
He said he would still request for more road interventions from Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Kalu said: The roads I requested for intervention as mentioned by the Honourable Minister were repairs of Ezere-Acha-Ndiokoukwu Road; Amaubiri-Eluama-Uru Ring Road, Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze; Ndi Oji Abam-Atan Road; the Okafia-Ozuitem-Bende road and Ozu-Amuru-Abam Road.
“The contractors have completed and delivered these roads long time ago except Abam-Atani road which I learnt from the contractors was slowed down due to rain but still ongoing.
“Meanwhile, it would interest Nigerians to know that the contractors who built these roads have not been paid any dime.
“It has not been easy with the contractors but because it’s a community project they have only but kept hope alive on the NDDC.
“I am so much concerned about roads because I understand the economic importance of good roads, that’s why I built several roads when I was Governor.
“Even as a Senator, it would interest you to know that my major constituency projects are road constructions, reconstructions and rehabilitations. We have put in plans to finish 19 roads in Abia North before end of 2021.
“As a community leader, I do not intend to stop my interventions on roads in NDDC states because all the states need good roads. Good roads help to drive the economy.
“Therefore, I believe the NDDC forensic audit should focus on the missing funds and not works done.
“They should focus on paying contractors that delivered their jobs and not using my name indiscriminately to sell newspapers.
“The Honourable Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio is my good old friend. We have been friends even before I became a governor.
“I hope he doesn’t expect me to stop seeking for road interventions in our communities. It is his civic responsibility to support the communities and I am very confident he will oblige our future requests especially in areas of good roads.”
He added: “I was Governor of Abia State between 1999-2007 and never held any public office until June 11, 2019 when I was sworn-in as a Senator.
“Between 2016 to 2018, during my tour to several communities, leaders and welfare unions of most communities pleaded for urgent intervention on some dilapidated roads.
“I wrote to the NDDC informing the body of the conditions of these roads and the need for their attention since Abia is an NDDC state.
“The NDDC in their consideration which I am very grateful to, awarded the roads to companies that duly tendered for the projects and not myself.
“Whatever link I have with the projects is because it was considered due to my intervention.”
The Senate Chief Whip also noted that the NDDC that awarded these projects were not any of the interim management in controversy but the fully constituted body of NDDC with a board.
August 3, 2020
Kalu gets rousing welcome in Abia after return from Kuje Custodian Centre
Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu, arrived at his Igbere country home in Abia on Monday to a rousing reception by relations, friends and political associates.
The home journey was more than one month after he regained freedom from Kuje Custodial Centre.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Kalu was jailed for 12 years on Dec. 5 for alleged N7.1 billion fraud, while serving as Abia governor (1999 to 2007).
The Supreme Court, however, in a unanimous decision on May 8, nullified the trial and conviction of Kalu by Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The apex court said that Idris lacked the jurisdiction to try the matter, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
The former governor, however, remained incarcerated until June 2, when Justice Muhammed Liman of a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered his release from custody.
NAN reports that Kalu, who arrived at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, around 1.20 pm, was received by his political allies and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state.
Party faithful also turned out in large numbers at Onuimo, the Abia/Imo boundary to receive him, waiving the APC flag and chanting the party slogan.
At Umuahia, scores of residents lined up the major streets to catch a glimpse of the lawmaker representing Abia North, who was chauffeurred through the city in a motorcade enroute to Igbere, Bende Local Government Area.
Addressing newsmen at the airport, Kalu expressed gratitude to God for the prevailing peace in Nigeria.
He said that he felt well being home after his release from unlawful incarceration.
He said: “I feel well to be home. I am always a home boy. A home boy is always a home boy.”
Kalu said that his Abia North Senatorial District did not miss anything as a result of his six months at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
“Abia North did not miss anything because all that were supposed to be done were represented in the budget.”
“The senatorial district has become a huge construction site. What is happening there has never happened in any senatorial district in Abia.
“There are more than 19 roads currently undergoing rehabilitation in the area,” Kalu said.
Party stalwarts at the brief airport reception included the state Woman Leader, Dr Ori Obasi, Mr Chijioke Chukwu, representing Kalu’s Bende State Constituency at the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Ndukwe Agu, former General Manager, Abia Road Maintenance Agency, among others.
In separate remarks, they thanked God for Orji’s freedom from incarceration, saying that it further embolden the party ahead of the 2023 polls in Abia.
They also expressed the hope that Orji, who they described as a detribalised Nigerian, liked by many people across party lines, would give voice to the aspiration for a president of Igbo extraction in 2023.
At Kalu’s Camp Neya residence in Igbere, security operatives had hectic time trying to control the people, who thronged the compound in a bid to see him. (NAN)
July 28, 2020
Kalu, Nkole, Others Want Permanent Solution To Abia, C’River Boundary Problems
From Linus Effiong, Umuahia
The Senate Chief Whip and Senator representing Abia North in the upper legislative chamber, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has expressed concern over the incessant boundary clashes between the Isu Community in Arochukwu Council Area of Abia State and their Utuama neighbors in Biase Council of Cross River State, which has claimed many lives and properties and called for proper demarcation of the boundary.
Kalu, who made the call through the chairperson of the Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) Foundation, Elder Mrs Jemima Ola Kalu, during the flag off of distribution of relief materials to the victims of the clashes in Umuahia the Abia State capital, assured that a permanent solution would soon be found as he was already discussing the matter with the National Boundaries Commission for the permanent delineation of the boundary.
Kalu lauded the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for providing the relief materials to cushion the effect of the attack which had made them refugees. He urged them to make proper use of the items.
Also speaking, the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal constituency, Hon Uko Nkole, recalled that on February, 20, 2020, he raised a motion calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, to call on the NBC to delineate the boundary between Isu community and their neighboring clans in Cross River.
Nkole, added that the event was the granting of one of the prayers of that motion, which is the provision of relief materials by NEMA but insisted that proper demarcation the boundary was necessary to avert further clashes.
He acknowledged the inputs of the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
In his remarks, the Minority Whip and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha, lauded the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), for providing relief materials to Isu community.
July 14, 2020
Orji Kalu regains freedom
Former Abia Governor Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre, Abuja where he was serving a 12-year sentence following an order to that effect by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Justice Mohammad Liman of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the release of Kalu on Tuesday following his conviction last December for alleged looting of N7.65b belonging to Abia. He was released around 7:30pm Wednesday.
June 4, 2020
BREAKING: Supreme Court nullifies Orji Kalu’s conviction, orders fresh trial
A seven-man panel of the Justices of the Supreme court has nullified the judgment that convicted Ude Udeogu and the former governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
The apex court therafter ordered the chief Judge of the Federal high to reassign the case for a fresh trial.
The Supreme Court set aside the judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal high court, Lagos which sentenced Ude Udeogu and Senator Oriji Uzor kalu to 10 and 12 years imprisonment respectively.
Justice Ejembi Ekwo who read the lead judgment held that justice Mohammed Idris having been elevated to a Justice of the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to continue with the trial.
Justice Ekwo said President of the Court of Appeal has no powers to issue a fait, asking Justice Idris to go back to trial court to conclude the trial.
“There is no provisions in the constitution that allows for a hybrid Judge.
“Section 396 of the ACJA is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution,” Justice Ejembi Ekwo ruled.
May 8, 2020