A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Monday revoked the bail granted former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu for travelling out of Nigeria without the court order.
Orji Kalu is standing trial on alleged N7.2 billion fraud.
He was not in court at the last adjourned sitting and the judge was told that Kalu was outside the country for medical treatment.
The prosecution said they were not aware and wondered how Kalu got the travel document with which he travelled out.
Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court had insisted Kalu appears before him during today’s hearing, but he was still absent.
The court therefore ruled that upon his return to Nigeria, Kalu must immediately submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , failing which he shall be arrested and detained by the EFCC.
The judge ruled: “I am constrained to revoke the bail granted to the first defendant; the first defendant is however, permitted to continue with his medical treatment abroad, un-harrased by law enforcement agencies.
“Upon his return to the country, he must at the point of entry, surrender his international passport and other relevant travelling document to the EFCC; he shall submit himself to the EFCC within 24 hours of his return, failing which he shall be re-arrested and detained by the EFCC.
“Let me state that there is no doubt that the first defendant is entitled to and has a right to life, he has a right to seek medical treatment within and outside the shores of Nigeria; this right is further guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and People’s Right.
” In enjoying this right, the first defendant has a duty to follow due process of law; in this case, the first defendant acted outside the purview of the law, and he is expected to be dealt with according to the law.
“This court is a court of equity, but he who seeks equity must do equity; I find no reason why I should depart from the law, this Court is an equal dispenser of Justice, ” the court held.
The court thereafter adjourned the case until January 23, 2019.