From Chidiebere Ezemdi, Aba

On Wednesday,  March 6, 2024, the Court of Appeal barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) from re-trying the former Governor of Abia State (1999-2007), Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. The ruling is in tandem with  the earlier one given by  the Federal High Court, Abuja, stopping the agency  from reopening the trial of Kalu and his business, SLOK Nigeria Limited regarding money laundry charges filed by EFCC.

Many wholly agree with the judgments. The reason is obvious: The case  is clearly  politically  case. Kalu didnt start politics as a pauper. He was a well known  businessman  in Maiduguri, expanded to Lagos, and Southeast, and spread across Nigeria and different parts of West Africa. In 1986, Kalu was given an award by the Federal government led by former military President Ibrahim Babangida, as the Young Business Man of the Year. It was a no mean   achievement.

He contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives. His performance at the House attracted accolades across the country.

In 1998, Kalu, now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria helped in forming and funding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He later won the governorship election . He funded his campaign robustly .

He was heavily loaded as a business mogul who had $ 4 billion in his balance sheet. Kalu had the highest shipping yard in Malaysia and many other countries. He  started from the humble beginning of transporting palm oil from the East to the North, with a  meager sum of $35  handed to him by his loving mother, Chief Mrs. Eunice Kalu . Kalu expanded his business interest to  furniture, crude oil, shipping, arms and ammunition, and household groceries.

He  became an household brand, known by powerful authorities including  international governments. He made a name for himself, before venturing into politics.

Those fighting relentlessly to dent the name of the former Chief Whip of the 9th Senate, Kalu, could not boast of 20,000 Naira in their bank accounts in 1999. They have through dubious means amassed inexplicable wealth for themselves, yet they are walking free in Nigeria.

Most of those elements are  behind this political move to  retry him.   Kalu was unanimously exonerated by 19 witnesses in court. These 19 witnesses never mentioned his name in court.

Most of these wolves in sheep’s clothing were brought up by Kalu in 1998. Kalu  made all of them attain the height they are occupying today, b

You will recall that before the formation of PDP in 1998, by the former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, and some other prominent stakeholders, Kalu was solely responsible for the bills of PDP. After each meeting, Kalu took care of the bills.

Kalu singlehandedly sponsored the PDP, gave PDP 500  million naira  to run the party, and also gave 200 million naira  to Olusegun Obasanjo as the then PDP presidential candidate.

It is shocking how many Nigerians have forgotten so easily. History does not forget easily and documents do not lie. Kalu deserves respect and not the falsehood coming from some quaters that are desperate to soil his name.