The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has strongly condemned the recent decision by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to challenge a Federal High Court ruling that barred it from retrying former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, over an alleged N7.1 billion fraud.
In a press statement signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and made available to ABN TV, COSEYL described the development as a politically motivated attempt to harass and discredit Igbo leaders. The group expressed concerns over what it called a violation of constitutional principles and a threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.
“The Federal High Court had previously discharged and acquitted Senator Kalu after a thorough legal process due to insufficient evidence. However, the sudden move by the EFCC to push for a retrial raises serious questions about the true intentions behind this legal battle,” COSEYL stated.
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According to the youth group, the timing of the retrial suggests a political agenda rather than a genuine effort to ensure accountability. It alleged that certain forces were using the case as a tool to weaken the influence of the former governor, whom it described as a leader dedicated to the welfare of his people.
COSEYL urged the EFCC to maintain its credibility by avoiding political interference in its operations. The group warned that pursuing a retrial after an acquittal could erode public trust in the judiciary and set a dangerous precedent for politically motivated prosecutions.
“We call on the EFCC not to allow itself to be used for political permutations ahead of the 2027 elections. Justice should be based on facts and legal merit, not on political interests,” the statement concluded.
The retrial of Senator Kalu has sparked reactions across political and legal circles, with many closely monitoring how the case unfolds in the coming months.
