Former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has reacted to the nullification of his conviction by the Supreme Court, saying he will soon join his colleagues at the senate.
OBSERVERS TIMES earlier reported that the Supreme Court nullified the conviction of Kalu who was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment over N7.16 billion fraud on December 5
The Apex court ordered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case for a fresh trial.
Reacting, Kalu in a statement he personally signed said the judgment affirmed his right to fair hearing and equal protection of the law.
Kalu said that the past five months in prison had been a profound period, adding that it has provided him the opportunity to learn invaluable lessons about the country, the peoples, the justice system and the true meaning of love for family, country and love for humanity.
Kalu commended his family, supporters and all Nigerians for their unflinching and unwavering confidence and trust in him through the very testing period.
“ I also use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Nigerian Correctional Service for the unalloyed professionalism and sincere humanity extended to me by its staff while I was in their custody.
“I must accord a special mention to the Justices of our Supreme Court for their unwavering commitment to the rule of law. We all stand reminded of the consistent and strategic relevance of the Nigerian Supreme Court in holding this country together, even in moments of great peril. As far back as in the 1971 case of Lekanmi V. Attorney General of the Federation (the Ademola Adetikumbo-led Court) the Nigerian Supreme Court has severally rescued this country from the precipice.
“Also, throughout the dark era of military rule in Nigeria, the Supreme Court neither wavered nor flinched in its commitment to justice and fairness.”
The Senator noted that despite some distractions and mass hysteria, the Nigerian Supreme Court has remained the veritable compass to the highest ideals of justice attainable in the country.
Describing his experience as a true Nigerian story with a bold MADE-IN-NIGERIA stamp on it, the former governor said the experience had reaffirmed his belief and confidence in Nigeria.
“ It is a story of initial injustice that was caught and ultimately corrected. It is a story of restoration. It is a story of how a wrong was righted and how justice and truth prevailed in the end. It is a story of the power of hope. My case should teach us all that even though we may not get things right at the first attempt, with patience and dedication, we shall get them right eventually. That is the lesson of my case and that is the lesson of our country – that with dedication and patience, we shall place Nigeria in its rightful place eventually.
“ It must continue until it touches the lives of millions of Nigerians who face injustice anywhere in this world. I shall be dedicating my time henceforth to ensuring there will be justice for all Nigerians whether they are in Sokoto or Akwa Ibom or in Lagos or Maiduguri or in Jos or Enugu, or wherever they may be. Justice for one man or for a few people will no longer be enough in this country.
“A system whereby over 70% of all prison inmates population is made up of people awaiting trial cannot be allowed to continue. Situations where innocent people are falsely charged with murder just to get them out of the way does not dignify our country and cannot continue. Justice must now mean justice for all. That is my pledge to Nigerians.
”I look forward to rejoining my colleagues in the Senate as soon as possible,” he added.
