Group Carpets EFCC Chairman, Bawa Over Sen. Kalu’s Retrial, Says He’s Seeking Public Clap

A group, Concerned Abia Professionals has condemned the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Abdulrasheed Bawa over his comment that the Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Uzor will be retried, describing it as a deliberate attempt to attract public applause.

The group wondered why the EFCC Chairman, Bawa is not aware that Sen. Kalu’s retrial has since commenced when in February this year he presented himself before a federal high court in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo following which the case was halted by Sen. Kalu’s lawyers because there was no ex parte order from a superior court for the Abia North Senator’s retrial.

In a statement signed by one Desmond Ikeotuonye on behalf of the group, it accused the EFCC Chairman of engaging in media trial against the former Abia governor in a way that demonstrates he is not fully equipped with knowledge of the case.

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He said, “For the records and to enligten mr bawa, senator orji uzor kalu appeared in court for his re-arraingment on tuesday the 2nd day of February 2021 but the said arraignment was halted by the trial court on an Ex parte application by kalus counsels that the EFCC cannot suo moto arraign orji kalu again without an express order of a superior court of records.

“Infact EfCC lawyers present applied that the matter be adjourned sine die as the EFCC wants to apply for a transfer of the matter to lagos division of the court, the trial judge justice inyang Ekwo in his wisdom adjourned the matter to 7th day of June 2021 instead

“It is either the EFCC boss is oblivious of the above facts or he is simply whipping up public sentiments through media trial aimed at attracting public adulations by portraying himself as a working boss

“The truth of the matter is that senator kalu’s retrial has already commenced and is pending in the federal high court Abuja presided by hon justice Inyang Ekwo and the EFCC boss should get himself abreast of the facts of the matter instead of playing to the gallery.”

Concerned Abia Professionals while insisting that it does not hold brief for the former federal lawmaker called on the EFCC Chairman to make enquiry on the status of the case from lawyers in the commission before embarking on media trial like his predecessor, Ibrahim Magu.

“Mr Bawa should consult his lawyers to find out how a retrial can be held without an oder to that effect by a superior court of competent jurisdiction

“In as much as we are not holding brief for senator kalu we are concerned as stakeholders and every well meaning Nigerian should be concerned about the constant media trial of senator kalu since the inception of his trial down to Ibrahim magu era and now to mr Adulrashed Bawa Regime

“Senator kalu is an illustrious son of Abia, south East and Nigeria and we are as Concerned Abia professionals are very proud of him and his achievements.

“We believe that he will be vindicated in this fresh trial just as he was vindicated the last time”.