THE NIGERIAN LAW COMMISSION BACKS SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON ORJI UZO KALU

The Nigerian Law Reform Commission yesterday, expressed it support for the Supreme Court judgement quashing 12-year jail term slammed on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu by Justice Mohammed Idris on the 5th of December 2019.

The Acting Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Jummai Audi, told the Senate Committee on Judiciary Human Rights and Legal Matters in Abuja that the judgement of the lower court against Kalu was an absurdity on account of the Justice who completed hearing and ruled on the case.

Audi, who made the declaration during her screening for the substantive chairmanship position of the commission, said: “On the Orji Uzor Kalu’s case, I think it is an absurdity.

She noted that since provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), relied upon for the judgement could not override that of the 1999 Constitution, it would have to be amended.

Senators James Manager (PDP Delta South), Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta North), Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North), Gabriel Suswam (PDP, Benue North East) and Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia (APC, Jigawa North), were excited with the position of Audi, saying: “You are well guided.”

Her submission rubbished the view of the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), who earlier expressed his displeasure over the apex court’s judgement nullifying the conviction of Kalu and others by the lower court.