Share!
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has welcomed his colleague and Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu back to the chamber.
Senator Kalu, alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, and a former Director of Finance at the Abia State Government House, Jones Udeogu were in December convicted of a N7.65bn fraud, in an amended 39 counts which was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former Abia governor had filed an application on Tuesday May 12, asking a Federal High Court in Lagos to order his release from the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service NCS, Kuje, Abuja, following the nullification of conviction of his co-defendant, Udeogu by the supreme court, on the grounds that the trial judge gave the judgment without jurisdiction.
The court however granted the prayer of the applicant and ordered his release. At about 8pm, on Wednesday evening, Kalu was released by authorities of the Kuje NCS.
Days after his release from the Kuje prison, the Abia North Senate Representative resumed at the Upper chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Welcoming Senator Kalu at Tuesday’s plenary session, Senator Lawan congratulated him on his return to the chambers.
“I want to welcome back our one and only chief whip of the senate and indeed the national assembly. Chief whip you are welcome, we are very grateful to the Almighty God for his blessings,” he said
“Congratulations for being here.”
The Cable reports Kalu did not resume his duty as chief whip. Sabi Abdullahi, deputy chief whip, still acted in his stead.