Former Abia governor Orji Kalu jumped bail and ran away to Germany – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Monday accused former Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Kalu, of jumping bail after hearing in a case of alleged fraud of N7.65bn.

The trial did not continue due to the absence of the ex-governor in the court.

“Things must be done in accordance with the law. In my own view, what happened is that the 1st defendant has jumped bail. This is an attempt to further frustrate this trial because no application was made to the court to travel, said Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) EFCC’s prosecutor.

Describing the ex-governor’s absence from court as an attempt to frustrate the case, Jacob urged Justice Idris to interpret Kalu’s absence to mean that he had jumped bail.

“I am not aware when the 1st defendant wanted to travel. We only got to know that the 1st defendant travelled abroad for medical treatment through a statement by his aide.

Jacobs expressed surprise at Kalu’s absence from court, denying any prior information of when the ex-governor obtained the court’s permission to travel out of the country.

“I urge Your Lordship to treat the absence of the 1st defendant that he has jumped bail,” Jacobs said.

Justice Idris in ruling said that the court received a mail confirming Kalu’s treatment arrangement, but noted that the defence counsel failed to attach any medical report to guide the court on Kalu’s post-surgery treatment.

Justice Idris, in the interest of justice, adjourned the case for the last time, stressing that Kalu must return from Germany within seven days and appear before the court.