Senator Orji Kalu, Chief Whip of the Senate will continue to receive his salaries and all other entitlements while in prison, according to the Senate. The former Abia State governor was convicted Thursday last week over N7.65 billion fraud after being found guilty by the High Court in Lagos and was subsequently taken to the Ikoyi Prison.
The spokesperson of the Senate, Godiya Akwashiki, disclosed that despite the conviction, Kalu remains a sitting senator and will be paid all of his entitlements in full.
He said until the case gets to Surpeme Court and a final judgement is given, Kalu remains a serving lawmaker.
“He is still a senator,” Akwashiki said. “This is the first court. The matter is going to Supreme Court. So, he still has the opportunity to appeal up to the Supreme Court level.
“Of course they will pay him. Because he is a sitting senator just like I said…if you file for appeal, you are still serving and so they will pay you.
“All his entitlements will be paid. There is no cause for alarm. In fact, even if Court of Appeal says they have upheld the judgement of the lower court, he still has the right to go to Supreme Court. So once the Supreme Court says, yes, the judgement is okay, then that’s the final,” he explained.
Earlier, Mr Akwashiki said Mr Kalu’s seat will not be declared vacant.
He explained that no provision in the constitution that says the seat of any senator facing prosecution or convicted at a lower court should be declared vacant.