The Supreme Court has nullified the judgement which convicted the former Governor of Abia, Orji Uzo Kalu.
The Apex Court delivered the judgement on Friday, more than one year after him and Ude Udeogu, a former Director of Finance and Account at the Abia State Government house, were convicted of corruption allegations levelled against them by the Federal Government.
Senator Orji was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in a judgement delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 24, 2019 while he sentenced Mr Udeogu to 10 years imprisonment on the same day.
Both being displeased by the judgement filled an appeal to challange the sentencing at the Supreme court.
The apex court, in a unanimous verdict on the appeal delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko, declared that the conviction of the appellants was null and void.
Justice Eko explained that the declaration was on the ground that Justice Mohammed Idris was already a Justice of the Court of Appeal, as at the time he delivered the judgment sentencing the appellants.
He furthered that a Justice of the Court of Appeal cannot operate as a judge of the Federal High Court.
The apex court, therefore, ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case for trial.
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