Diezani: Odinkalu challenges ex-Abia governor Kalu to surrender self for full scale open court corruption trial

The trial and acquittal of Nigerian former Petroleum Resources Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke in a Crown Court in London has trigged fresh conversations around some politicians and the politically exposed persons with corruption issues against them.

This is even as a notable Human rights lawyer and public affairs commentator, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has challenged the former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to surrender himself for a full scale open court corruption trial, rather than escaping justice through legal technicalities.

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Reacting to the acquittal of Diezani, by a Crown Court in London, he urged Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK), to prove his innocence in Court and if he also has confidence in himself.

Odinkalu in a statement he posted on his social media platform, said Diezani had been cleared of all charges following a high-profile corruption trial in the United Kingdom, describing the outcome as an example of due judicial process.

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He said, Court’s acquittal proves the importance of hung on anyone to be tested in open court rather than relying on technical legal victories or  political narratives.

“Diezani has been acquitted on all counts at the end of a high-profile corruption trial before the Crown Court in London,” Odinkalu stated.

The senior lawyer contended that the acquittal should serve as a precedent for Kalu, who has faced legal battles over corruption allegations in Nigeria, to seek a definitive judicial determination of his case through a full trial before what he described as a credible court.

“I hope that Orji Uzor Kalu will look at this and insist on taking his turn at an acquittal at the end of a full trial before a credible court,” Odinkalu said.

CAPITAL POST recalled that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was accused of fraud and money laundering to the tune of N7.65 billion. The case could not be prosecuted effectively as the Surpeme in 2019 let him off the hook, after 12 years trial.

Meanwhile the ex-chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission maintained that public office holders and political actors accused of wrongdoing should surrender for judicial scrutiny in order to clear their names.

Odinkalu further warned that if Kalu fails to pursue such a course, Nigerians may have to reconsider his continued relevance in the country’s political landscape.

“If not, then let’s retire OUK. We do not need a criminal in politics.”
Kalu represents Abia North Senatorial District for the second time and he is a candidate for 2027 senatorial election on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

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