By Johnson Dike Abuja
June 2 has been fixed by the court as the date to hear Orji Uzor Kalu’s application seeking his release from prison
This date was set by a Federal High Court in Lagos and the motion on notice will be heard by Justice Mohammed Liman.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu also a chief whip of the senate is presently serving a 12 years jail term at the Correctional Service Centre in Kuje, Abuja for allegedly looting N7.2billion belonging to Abia State.
He was sentenced by Justice Mohammed Idris in December 2015 alongside his co-defendant, Jonnes Udeogo but his co-defendant got a 10 years jail term.
Kalu currently has a twelve man legal team which includes six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN)s, to defend his cause.
He filed the motion on May 12 asking the court to nullify his conviction.
NAN reports that following Udeogu’s appeal, the Supreme Court had on May 8 held that the fiat issued to Justice Idris to conclude the trial of the defendants after he had been elevated to the Court of Appeal was “a nullity”.
The apex court had consequently, set aside Idris’ verdict “as it relates to the appellant (Udeogu)”.
The court had ordered Udeogu’s freedom and the re-trial of his case.
In his new pending motion, Kalu is contending that no legal basis exists for his continued incarceration following the Supreme Court’s judgment which declared his trial a nullity and freed Udeogu. The motion will be heard on June 2