Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for fraud, was heard asking prison warders, “Where are you taking us to?” after his sentencing.
According to a report in both The PUNCH and the Nation newspapers, Kalu, who is the Senate Chief Whip, also begged the prison warders not to handcuff him in public.
The PUNCH reports that, as Kalu and his co-defendants were being removed from the dock by prison officials, they attempted to handcuff him.
The former governor, who appeared shaken, said, “Where are you taking us to now? Please, don’t handcuff me. I will follow you.”
The report indicates that wo unidentified women were also seen weeping as Kalu was being led away.
The Nation reported further that the former governor wiped tears from his eyes with a white handkerchief as Justice Mohammed Idris began reading an abridged version of the 228-page judgment.
Kalu’s associate, Udeogu, was sentenced to 10 years in prison while the company which was used in perpetrating the fraud, Slok Limited, was ordered to be wound up by Justice Idris Mohammed.
The case began in 2007, 12 years ago, when they were first arraigned for the offences, but before a different judge.
In an amended 39 counts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved that they conspired and divert N7.65bn from the coffers of the Abia State.
