The federal high court in Abuja has put on hold the trial of former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu after granting leave to challenge the legality of his trial for the second time over allegation of N7.1 B money laundering charges.
Justice lnyang Ekwo ruling in an ex-parte application granted leave to the Senator representing Abia North to enable him secure permission for judicial review of his retrial in charges which he had been tried and convicted by a lagos high court division.
The court also gave Kalu seven days within which to file and serve on EFCC all processes he intends to use to challenge the the legality of the trial in other not to suffer double jeopardy.
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Leave to apply for order of perpetual injunction against the Federal Government through EFCC to prohibit his retrial so as not to be made to suffer double jeopardy was also granted .
In the ex-parte motion moved before the court last Tuesday , Kalu pleaded with the court to rescue him from standing for another trial alongside with his firm, Spoke Nigeria Limited.
Among several, he sought for an order of court prohibiting the Federal government from further retrying and harrassing him and if such application is granted, it should operate as a stay of proceedings until the determination of the application .
The court consequently fixed hearing for February 23, 2021.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
