Alleged N7.6bn fraud: I’m willing to face trial – Kalu

The former Governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said he's ready to face trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alle...

The former Governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said he's ready to face trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N7.6 billion fraud levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He stated this on Monday in his country home in Bende local government of Abia state while answering fielding questions from newsmen ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari's visit to the state tomorrow.

He said he's willing and ever ready to face trial, saying he never stole any money from the state government's treasury during his tenure.

"I have so much respect for Justice Mohammed Idris because of the way he handles his court. I feel court must be a place of Justice. I don't know why he adjourned my trial indefinitely, but as long as I am healthy I will go to court. I have never run away from trial. I am very prepared for trial," he said.

"I'm very willing to take my trial; there's no commissioner under my administration when I was the governor of the state who said I stole money. There are 19 witnesses and none of them have said I have stolen money.

"It's only Justice Idris that can explain why my trail was adjourned indefinitely. I have no right to judge him; there are other courts who will judge how correct his final decision will be on my trial," the former governor added.

Kalu noted that he's been persecuted by perceived political enemies.