By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka (Senior Correspondent, Lagos)
The trial of former Abia State governor Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and two others continued on Wednesday as the prosecution witness, John Ejim, identified the photograph of Orji Uzor Kalu in the mandate card of Slok Nig Limited account in Inland Bank before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
With the identification of the photograph by the witness, the prosecution ended its examination-in-chief with the sixth witness.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had asked the witness to look at exhibit F57 which is the mandate card of Slok Nig. Limited account in Inland Bank and identify the photographs of operators of the account.
In his response the witness said: “My lord, this is the mandate card of Slok Nig Limited in Inland Bank bearing the photographs of operators of the account.” While identifying the photographs on the mandate card, the witness said; “I see the photograph of His Excellency the former governor of Abia State, Chief Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, with the photograph of the general manager of Slok Nig Limited.”
After the examination-in-chief by the prosecution, the defence team began its cross-examination with Mr. Awa Kalu (SAN) counsel to Orji Kalu (1st defendant) taking the lead.
In answer to a question concerning his rank and competency as at the time of his investigation, the witness who is now a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) told the court that he was a sergeant then, adding that he had a clout and very competent in investigation.
He further told the court that he only investigated the petition from Abia Leaders’ Forum but did not find out if the organisation was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission or not.
The witness said that the investigation started in 2004 through intelligence gathering activities.
On whether he had interface with the first defendant, the witness said; “My lord, I never had personal interface or contact with the 1st defendant during the investigation but a member of my team may have done it.”
When the witness was referred to exhibit H1-H13–the documents/statements in which the 1st defendant stated that funds for running of Government House came from the security vote, Ejim responded that the documents were the opinion/statements of the 1st defendant and not what the investigation report stated.
In another question, he said that he as a person did not visit Umuahia to confirm the report but his team visited Abia State for that purpose.
“Security vote has its source of funding but our investigation proved otherwise” he disclosed.
On whether the 1st defendant was a signatory to Slok Nig. Limited account in Inland Bank, the witness confirmed that the 1st defendant’s name and signature did not appear in the account of Slok Nig. Limited.
“His name and signature are not there because he is not a signatory to the account and I did not see any cash transaction bearing his name directly.
“I have not seen bank drafts processed in his name.
“My lord, no direct instructions by him but other officers deposit money to Slok account” Ejim told the court.
On whether any money apart from the 1st defendant’s salary and allowances were paid to 1st defendant’s personal account, the witness answered; ” I would not say so. As a public officer, I will not say I do not know. But money entered his personal account from our investigation.”
Orji Kalu and two others are docked by the EFCC for alleged diversion of Abia State funds to their private organisation at the detriment of Abia people.
Hearing on the matter continues on Thursday.