It appears Ex-Governor Uzor Kalu would be spending his Christmas day in prison as his bail application has been dismissed
It was learnt that Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court has dismissed Orji Uzor Kalu’s application for bail pending determination of his appeal against his fraud conviction.
Though Uzor Kalu’s lawyers told the court that he had serious health challenges that the medical facilities in the prison cannot handle, the judge insisted that the applicant failed to prove exceptional circumstances that would warrant granting bail pending the determination of his appeal.
Justice Liman said asides the fact that the illnesses claimed were not contagious, there was no evidence to prove the senator was suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, and hypertension.
The court also rejected Mr Kalu’s argument that there are substantial grounds in his appeal against his conviction, saying it is an irrelevant ground.
Also, the judge ruled that Mr Kalu’s absence at the Senate will no doubt be missed, but that his constituents should have known they were taking a risk of taking a potentially uncertain candidate, when they voted him to represent them as a federal lawmaker.
It may be recalled that the former governor is currently serving a 12 year jail term handed down on him, upon conviction for fraud and money laundering. Mr Kalu was convicted earlier in the month, of N7.1bn fraud and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, which he has appealed against.
