Barely 24 hours after the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered his release, Senate Chief Whip, and former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has regained freedom after six months incarceration.
He stepped out of Kuje Correctional Centre this evening after the completion of his release formalities.
The court had transmitted the judgment as well as Warrant of Release duly signed by Justice Liman to the authorities of Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja this morning to facilitate the senator’s freedom.
Justice Liman of the Federal High Court, Lagos had on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of Kalu. He also set aside the trial, conviction and sentence of the former governor to 12 years imprisonment on December 5, 2019, in accordance with earlier ruling of the Supreme Court.
In his ruling, Justice Liman ordered Kalu’s immediate release from prison as well as set aside the earlier trial and order given by Justice MB Idris that Slok Nigeria Limited be wound up and its assets forfeited to Federal Government.
Kalu had gone to court asking for his release in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment last month nullifying his trial and conviction.
The Supreme Court had ruled that since Justice Idris was elevated to the Court of Appeal, he had no jurisdiction to have concluded Kalu’s trial.
The apex court therefor nullified the conviction and ordered a retrial. (Sun)