The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, on Thursday, sentenced a serving senator, Chief whip of the Nigerian Senate and former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, to 12 years in prison for a N7.65 billion fraud.

Judgement was delivered  by Justice Mohammed Idris after he had  declared him guilty of the charges in the case that had been on for 12 years.

Kalu’s associate, Mr Udeh Udeogu who was Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during Kalu’s tenure as Abia governor was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Uzor’s  company which was used to commit the fraud, Slok Nigeria Limited was ordered to be wound up and all the assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

Kalu was tried along with his company, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Udeh Udeogu.

Justice Idris held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved that the convicts conspired and divered  N7.65bn from the coffers of  Abia State.

The EFCC alleged that  Kalu, who was Abia State Governor between 1999 and 2007, “did procure Slok Nigeria Limited – a company solely owned by you and members of your family – to retain in its account, domiciled with the then Inland Bank Plc, Apapa branch, Lagos, an aggregate sum of N7,197,871,208.7 on your behalf.”

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to all counts.