Jailed former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has vehemently rejected Justice Muhammed Idris’ verdict that sent him to 12 years jail on Thursday as he is poised to approach the court with an application for stay of execution of his sentence and bail pending appeal.
Kalu and his legal team dismissed the verdict describing it as a miscarriage of justice.
The former governor was on Thursday convicted of a 39-vount charge of fraud charges involving N7.65 billion brought against him and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He was subsequently sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The Director of Finance of Abia State while Kalu was governor between 1999 and 2007, Jones Ude Udeogo, and a company, Slok Nigeria Limited, were also convicted by Idris.
While Udeogo was given a lesser term of 10-year jail term by the court, Slok Nigeria Limited was wound up.
Both Kalu and Udeogo who came from the comfort of their homes Thursday morning ended up under Ikoyi prisons roof to keep the night.
The prison authorities said they had begun serving their jail term Thursday.
But one of Kalu’s lawyers, Chief Charles Ewelunta disclosed on Thursday that Kalu would not only appeal the judgment but also file an application for stay of execution and bail pending appeal.
He said Kalu’s legal team had already obtained the Certified True Copy of the judgement and would file an appeal almost immediately.
Ewelunta, however, said the team will file applications for a stay of execution and bail pending appeal.
He said both the stay of execution of the judgement and bail applications are permissible in law.