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Tag: Orji Kalu

  • BREAKING: Court orders Orji Kalu’s release from Kuje Prison

    BREAKING: Court orders Orji Kalu’s release from Kuje Prison

    The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu from Kuje prison.

    The court also ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately put machinery in motion for the retrial of the former governor.

    The court further ordered that his trial should start afresh along side the former Director of Finance in Abia State Government House, Ude Jones Udeogu in line with the judgement of the Supreme Court that declared Udeogu’s trial, conviction and sentence a nullity.

    The presiding Judge, Mohammed Liman made the order after listening to the argument and submission of Kalu’s lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN leading four other lawyers.

    EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacob, SAN, did not oppose the application, as he told the court that he did not want to waste any time for the trial to start afresh.

    In his ruling, Justice justice Liman said, the application of the applicant, Orji Uzor Kalu was meritorious and hereby granted accordingly as prayed, and that he should be released from the Kuje correctional services.

    He also ordered that EFCC should take steps for his re-arraignment so that his trial could start afresh.

    Orji is serving a 12-year jail term at the Correctional Service Centre in Kuje, Abuja for looting N7.65 billion belonging to the Abia State Government.

    The former Governor now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria hired a 12-man team of lawyers, to file application for his release.

    The application pending before Justice Mohammed Liman was filed on May 12 asking the court to nullify his conviction sentence and release him.

    Justice Mohammed Idris who was elevated to Court of Appeal, on December 5, 2019, convicted Kalu and a former Director of Finance in the Abia State Government House, Ude Jones Udeogu of the offence of fraud.

    Udeogu was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
    However, following Udeogu’s appeal, the Supreme Court on May 8, 2020 declared that the fiat issued to Justice Idris to conclude the case after he had been elevated to the Court of Appeal was “a nullity”.
    The apex court set aside Idris’ verdict “as it relates to the appellant (Udeogu)’s conviction.
    Consequently, the court ordered that Udeogu should be released and the retrial of his case.
    However, Kalu who was not part of this appeal contended that no legal basis existed for his continued incarceration following the Supreme Court’s judgment which declared the whole trial a nullity and freed Udeogu.
  • Ebonyi APC lauds Supreme Court’s verdict on Kalu

    Ebonyi APC lauds Supreme Court’s verdict on Kalu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi has applauded the Supreme Court for upturning lower court judgment that sentenced Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu to 12 years in prison on corruption allegation.

    Chief Eze Nwachukwu, the state APC Chairman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abakaliki that the judgment delivered by the apex court was a victory for democracy and supremacy of the rule of law.

    He said that Ebonyi APC received the news with great joy and jubilation, adding that justice has been served following the acquittal.

    He said: “We applaud the nation’s judiciary and the apex court which saw it necessary that justice was strangled along the line.

    “That the judicial procedure that would have given a credible judgment was not followed, thereby setting aside the judgment and ordering for retrial.

    “We say it is a welcome development because the earlier judgment brought the transparency of the judiciary to question, we commend the Supreme Court for doing the needful.

    “Yes, he has spent months in incarceration but we believe as Christians that God may have used those periods to keep him away from unknown evil and no matter the pains he may have gone, the joy of his freedom will wash them away.

    “The prison experience has also given him the opportunity like he said, to know who is who to him, his political and economic lives,” he said.

    Nwachukwu described the embattled Abia-born politician and businessman as one of the foremost Igbo leaders that devoted his entire life, carrier and wealth to humanity.

    The party expressed confidence that Kalu, whom it described as a ‘beacon’ of political hope for the South-East, would be vindicated at the end of his retrial.

    Also, Dr Paul Okorie, a chieftain of APC and former commissioner for environment, commended the apex court for vacating the judgment of the lower court, saying that the pronouncement was an affirmation of supremacy of the nation’s constitution.

    “Sen. Kalu took his conviction to the Supreme Court on the ground that the Constitution of Nigeria was breached at the lower court in the course of his conviction.

    “The Supreme Court Judges upheld his position; this is another proof of supremacy of the constitution of our land.

    “Hence, in whatever we do, we must bear it in mind that our constitution is supreme in all situations,” Okorie said.

    Another chieftain of the party, Chief Abia Onyike in his reaction described the judgment as a positive welcome development for Kalu and Ndigbo.

    Onyike, a former Ebonyi commissioner for information and orientation, said that the entire South-East and truth loving Nigerians wished him well as he resumes at the Senate.

    “The ruling by the Supreme Court on Kalu is a positive development for himself and Ndigbo. We wish him well as he resumes at the Senate. He must have learnt some lessons from his ordeal.

    “Igbo political leadership at this time requires self-assessment; we need an invigorated and vibrant political renaissance and Sen. Kalu should know that much is still expected from him,” he said.

    Justice Muhammed Idris had on Dec. 5, 2019, convicted the former governor and Senate Chief Whip to 12 years in prison for allegedly stealing public fund.

  • Supreme Court has affirmed my right to fair hearing, Orji Kalu reacts

    Supreme Court has affirmed my right to fair hearing, Orji Kalu reacts

    Former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, whose 12-year jail term was voided by the Supreme Court on Friday has reacted to the verdict saying “the apex court has Apex court of our dear country affirmed my right to fair hearing and equal protection of the law.”

    The apex court had on Friday nullified Kalu’s conviction and ordered fresh trial.

    In a statement issued shortly after the judgement was delivered, Kalu said his case was a story of initial injustice that was caught and ultimately corrected, a story of restoration, and of how a wrong was righted and how justice and truth prevailed in the end.

    Noting that the Nigerian Supreme Court has remained the veritable compass to the highest ideals of justice attainable in the country, he said this long tradition of the court was exemplified in today’s judgment.

    “I was humbled by the court’s boldness and sense of justice as shown in my case,” he said.

    Kalu commended the Justices of the Supreme Court for their unwavering commitment to rule of law, adding “We all stand reminded of the consistent and strategic relevance of the Nigerian Supreme Court in holding this country together, even in moments of great peril.”

    He said he looked forward to rejoining his colleagues in the Senate as soon as possible.

    Below is the full statement by the former governor:

    STATEMENT BY SENATOR (DR.) ORJI UZOR KALU

    Abuja, May 8, 2020

    Today, the Supreme Court of Nigeria gave a judgment in my favor, quashing the conviction which the lower court had entered against me. By today’s judgment, the Apex court of our dear country affirmed my right to fair hearing and equal protection of the law.

    The past five months have been quite a profound period for me. As challenging as that period has been, it has provided me an opportunity to learn invaluable lessons about our country, our peoples, our justice system and the true meaning of love. I mean love for family, love for our country and love for humanity.

    I want to use this moment to thank my family, my colleagues, my friends, my supporters, the people of Abia State, and all Nigerians for their unflinching and unwavering confidence and trust in me through the very testing period. We all know today that their prayers have not been in vain. I also use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Nigerian Correctional Service for the unalloyed professionalism and sincere humanity extended to me by its staff while I was in their custody.

    I must accord a special mention to the Justices of our Supreme Court for their unwavering commitment to rule of law. We all stand reminded of the consistent and strategic relevance of the Nigerian Supreme Court in holding this country together, even in moments of great peril. As far back as in the 1971 case of LAKANMI V. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION, (the Ademola Adetokumbo-led Court) the Nigerian Supreme Court has severally rescued this country from the precipice. Also throughout the dark era of military rule in Nigeria, the Supreme Court neither wavered nor flinched in its commitment to justice and fairness. And despite some moments of distraction and mass hysteria, the Nigerian Supreme Court has remained the veritable compass to the highest ideals of justice attainable in this country. This long tradition of the court was exemplified in today’s judgment. I was humbled by the court’s boldness and sense of justice as shown in my case.

    Overall, my experience tested and reaffirmed my belief and confidence in our country, Nigeria. My case is a true Nigerian story with a bold MADE-IN-NIGERIA stamp on it. It is a story of initial injustice that was caught and ultimately corrected. It is a story of restoration. It is a story of how a wrong was righted and how justice and truth prevailed in the end. It is a story of the power of hope. My case should teach us all that even though we may not get things right at the first attempt, with patience and dedication, we shall get them right eventually. That is the lesson of my case and that is the lesson of our country – that with dedication and patience, we shall place Nigeria in its rightful place eventually.

    Before I end, I would like to let it be known that the events of the past five months gave me an added perspective on matters of justice and injustice in Nigeria. I have come to know that the course of justice will not be complete if it stopped at my case. It must continue until it touches the lives of millions of Nigerians who face injustice anywhere in this world. I shall be dedicating my time henceforth to ensuring there will be justice for all Nigerians whether they are in Sokoto or Akwa Ibom or in Lagos or Maiduguri or in Jos or Enugu, or wherever they may be. Justice for one man or for a few people will no longer be enough in this country. A system whereby over 70% of all prison inmates population is made up of people awaiting trial cannot be allowed to continue. Situations where innocent people are falsely charged with murder just to get them out of the way does not dignify our country and cannot continue. Justice must now mean justice for all. That is my pledge to Nigerians.

    I look forward to rejoining my colleagues in the Senate as soon as possible.

    Thank you and God bless all of you.

    Signed by:

    SENATOR (DR) ORJI UZOR KALU

    (Given on the occasion of the Supreme Court judgment quashing the judgment of a lower court entered against him on December 5, 2019)

  • Yerima to expose those behind Orji Kalu’s ordeal

    Yerima to expose those behind Orji Kalu’s ordeal

    The President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, has declared that the group will expose persons who conspired to ensure the conviction of former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu.

    Yerima, however, appealed to northern leaders not to turn their back on Kalu because of his long standing affinity with the region.

    He told newsmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday that Kalu’s problem was more of politics than corruption, for which he was jailed by the court.

    According to Yerima, Kalu’s ordeal is largely about the 2023 elections, saying that Nigerian youths would watch the unfolding events.

    Yerima asserted that the former governor’s strong showing in the 2019 election and his perceived closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari and those around him caused jittery in the camp of those positioning themselves to contest the 2023 election both within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and outside the party.

    He said: “They see Orji Kalu as a potential threat based on the political permutation of the possibility of the presidency going to the South East come 2023 and they feel the best is to seize the opportunity to stop him.

    “You know we don’t support the presidency leaving the North at this time and we still stand on that ground, but that’s not what I want to address today. We are aware that some persons, especially those within the APC never believed Orji Kalu will succeed in winning the senatorial election.

    “In fact, they created so many obstacles to prevent him from getting the party’s ticket and when he eventually succeeded they conspired and mobilised forces against his winning the election proper but they are not Allah who decides; so he won the election with landslide.

    “Yet they went after him again through the electoral tribunal but because Allah has destined him to be in the Senate, he triumphed at the appeal tribunal again. Yet, these enemies re-strategised and again came after him through this long-standing case and turned the table around. We all know the story,” he said.

    Yerima added that in as much as he is not holding brief for Kalu, he must always speak the truth because it is only the truth that can stand for ages.

    “I will always stand and speak the truth at all times no matter what the situation is because it is only the truth that can set us free. We told Kalu when he joined APC that this people will frustrate him. Ask him and he will confirm to you that we warned him. I told him that he will regret joining the party but he insisted he cannot be in a different Party against the President who have been his long standing family friend; he insisted that he wanted to work for the reelection of the president. We witnessed his huge contribution towards the reelection of the President even when people from the South East called him names

    “If Orji Kalu is a criminal do you think these northern traditional rulers would have recognised him as their own by bestowing their revered titles on him? Of course, No! Though, we are not the court of law but the truth is like an open wound and the truth will always set us free.

    “Allowing him to suffer in jail will give credence to those after him. Kalu is a friend of the North and we will stand with him against his enemies, against those working to destroy him because of politics. The North must not allow that to happen to him,” Yerima said.

     

  • CASE CLOSED: Orji Kalu to remain in prison as court dismisses bail option

    CASE CLOSED: Orji Kalu to remain in prison as court dismisses bail option

    Justice Mohammed Liman of the federal high court has dismissed Orji Uzor Kalu’s application for bail pending determination of his appeal against his fraud conviction.

    According to the judge, the applicant failed to prove exceptional circumstances that would warrant granting bail pending the determination of his appeal.

    Justice Liman said there was no evidence to prove the senator was suffering from chronic diseases Such as diabetes, and hypertension, and that they weren’t contagious.

    The court also rejected Mr Kalu’s argument that there are substantial grounds in his appeal against his conviction, saying it is an irrelevant
    ground.

    Also, the judge ruled that Mr Kalu’s absence at the Senate will no doubt be missed, but that his constituents should have known they were taking a risk of taking a potentially uncertain candidate, when they voted him to represent them as a federal lawmaker.

    The former governor is currently serving a 12 year jail term handed down on him, upon conviction for fraud and money laundering.

    Mr Kalu was convicted earlier in the month, of N7.1bn fraud and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, which he has appealed against.

    He has been in prison since the day of his conviction. Last week, his lawyers told the court that he had serious health challenges that the medical facilities in the prison cannot handle.

    He also said that as the Chief Whip of the Senate and the senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, the interest of his constituents would be in jeopardy if he was kept behind bars.

    But counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), opposed the application.

  • Sun Newspaper distances self from Orji Kalu’s case as EFCC threatens closure

    The management of The Sun newspaper has distanced itself from the case of EFCC vs. Orji Uzor Kalu & 2 Others against the marking of its corporate office in Lagos for seizure by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The newspaper on Saturday appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) from sealing the company’s corporate headquarters.

    The appeal is contained in a statement issued by the management of the media outfit titled: ‘EFCC visit to The Sun office with armed policemen: Our Stand.’

    The management of the Sun Publishing Limited said that the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice should advise EFCC appropriately on the legal consequences of such action if implemented.

    It said that the appeal became necessary following the visit by three officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with four heavily armed policemen on Saturday, December 15, 2019 at about 10.00 a.m. to its corporate headquarters in Lagos.

    ”They arrived the corporate headquarters of The Sun Publishing Limited at 2, Coscharis Street, Kirikiri Industrial Layout, Apapa, Lagos and put up a notice for the staff and the general public to keep off the premises.

    “The EFCC officials, who came in a white Toyota bus with registration number, ABUJA BWR-644GA, wrote on The Sun’s fence, “EFCC, keep off.”

    “They also advised our staff to collect their personal belongings from the office as they will come back to seal the premises completely,” the statement stated.

    The management of the media outfit stated in the statement that they did not understand the legal basis for the EFCC’s action.

    ”It is on record that there is a pending appeal at the Supreme Court with Suit No: SC/546/2018 wherein The Sun Publishing Limited appealed against the Judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal on the interim forfeiture order made against it by a Federal High Court in 2007 based on ex parte proceeding.

    “The Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution were duly served on EFCC by the bailiffs of the Court.

    “It is also pertinent to state that EFCC vide a letter written by Counsel to The Sun Publishing Limited, dated May 22, 2018 and duly received by one Caleb Peter on behalf of Rotimi Jacobs & Co. was further put on notice of the pending appeal at the Supreme Court.

    ”It was also advised to stay action in the matter pending the hearing of the Motion for Stay of execution and the appeal, ” the statement said.

    The management of the Sun Publishing Limited also said, “it is instructive to state that The Sun Publishing Limited is not a party to the case of EFCC vs. Orji Uzor Kalu & 2 Others. So, we do not see why the Judgment in that case should lead to attempt to seal The Sun Publishing Limited premises.”

    The publishing company said that it was aware that both Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and Slok Nig. Limited had since appealed the Judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris and a hearing date given.

    ”We wish to reiterate that The Sun Publishing Limited is an ongoing corporate limited liability company and its shares are owned by various individuals distinct from Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu.

    “Therefore, the recent Judgment against Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu should not be used to disturb the operations of the company and the proprietary rights of its innocent shareholders until the matters are dispensed with at the Supreme Court,” the statement stated.

  • JUST IN: EFCC marks Orji Kalu’s Sun Newspaper, other properties for seizure

    JUST IN: EFCC marks Orji Kalu’s Sun Newspaper, other properties for seizure

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, December 14, 2019, moved to the next level in fulfilling the terms of court sentence passed on former Abia State governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

    The anti-graft agency said it has begun marking properties belonging to him to seek reparation for the N7.65b stolen from the Abia state treasury..

    The marking is to ensure that the properties are not dissipated, following the December 5, 2019 order of Justice Muhammed Idris sitting at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos that Kalu’s company, Slok Nigeria Limited, be wound up and all assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Kalu, who is the Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly, had been arraigned alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited and Udeh Udeogu, his Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House, over an amended 39-count charge bordering on conspiring and diverting the sum of N7.65bn from the coffers of the state.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC, thereby leading to their full trial.

    In the course of the trial, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, called 19 witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court.

    The defendants, however, testified on behalf of themselves during the trial.

    The parties, during the proceedings on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, adopted their final written addresses.

    In his final submission, the prosecution counsel, Jacobs, urged the judge to jail the defendants, saying the prosecution had proved the allegations against them.

    Jacobs also urged the court to wind up the company as provided by the Law and all its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

    However, the defence counsel urged the court to “dismiss the charges, acquit and discharge” their clients.

    Delivering his judgment, Justice Idris found the defendants guilty on all counts.

    Justice Idris held that the prosecution had established its case against the defendants.

    The Judge further held that “the case was conclusively investigated, as the prosecution conducted thorough investigations.”

    Justice Idris, therefore, convicted and sentenced the first defendant,
    Kalu to five years imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11; three years on counts 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32,
    33; 12 years on counts 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 and five years on count 39.

    The second defendant was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment on counts 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32 and 10 years on counts 34, 37, 38 and 39.

    Justice Idris further held that “In respect of the third convict, Slok Nigeria Limited, an order is hereby made that the company shall hereupon and without further assurances, but for this order, be wound up and all its assets and properties forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

     

  • BREAKING: Court sentences Orji Kalu to 12 years in prison over N7.1bn fraud

    BREAKING: Court sentences Orji Kalu to 12 years in prison over N7.1bn fraud

    A Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, on Thursday, sentenced a serving senator and ex-governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, to 12 years in prison for N7.65 billion fraud.

    Justice Mohammed Idris who delivered the sentence had earlier declared him guilty of the charge in the case that had been on for 12 years.

    Mr Kalu was tried alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Udeh Udeogu, who was Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during Mr Kalu’s tenure as governor.

    In an amended 39 counts charge, they were accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of conspiring and diverting over N7 billion from the coffers of the state.

    In one of the counts, the EFCC alleged that Mr 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 prosecution claimed that the N7.1 billion “formed part of the funds illegally derived from the treasury of the Abia State Government and which was converted into several bank drafts before they were paid into the said company’s account.”

    The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said the ex-governor violated Section 17(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, and was liable to be punished under Section 16 of the same Act.

    Apart from the N7.1bn, which he was accused of laundering, the ex-governor and the other defendants were also accused of receiving a total of N460 million allegedly stolen from the Abia State Government treasury between July and December 2002.

    The prosecutor said they breached Section 427 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

    The defendants had pleaded not guilty to all counts.

    During the trial, the prosecution called 19 witnesses while the defendants testified on behalf of themselves .

  • Orji Kalu’s sack, triumph of justice – Sen Ohuabunwa

    Orji Kalu’s sack, triumph of justice – Sen Ohuabunwa

    Senator Mao Ohuabunwa has hailed the judgment of the National and State Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal, which annulled the election of the Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu.

    In a statement issued by Dr. Ndubusi Eke, the Director-General of Ohuabunwa’s “Follow Better” Campaign Organisation, in Umuahia on Wednesday, Ohuabunwa described the judgment as “a triumph of justice and democracy in Nigeria.”

    He said that the judiciary had once again justified itself as the last hope of the common man, pointing out that he went to the tribunal “to get justice”.

    He said the judgment further demonstrated that “truth will always triumph over falsehood, no matter how long it might take.”

    He stated, “The judiciary has again shown that it remains the last hope of the common man, and a critical stakeholder in our democracy.”

    According to Ohuabunwa, the tribunal has spoken in clear terms that Abia north senatorial election was a charade, considering the massive rigging that characterised the poll.

    “The judiciary has again made a loud statement that no one can subvert the will of the people and get away with it”, he said.

    Ohuabunwa expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious at the supplementary poll, saying, “my people are waiting for an opportunity to recover their stolen mandate”.

    “I thank God who has always sustained me and my victory because I passed through this way in 2015/2016.

    “So, I am confident that God will again sustain this victory. No one can subvert the will of the people.

    “The supplementary poll will be a walkover for Follow Better,” Ohuabunwa said, while thanking his supporters for their relentless support.

    He promised to ensure the full realisation of all the ongoing constituency projects he attracted and the ones captured in the 2019 budget for the area, if he returned to the Senate.

    The tribunal on Monday invalidated the election of Kalu, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Abia North.

    The Justice Cornelius Akintayo-led panel annulled the election on the ground that it did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the principle of margin of lead.

    It therefore ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a supplementary poll in eight wards in Arochukwu council area and other wards and units in Abia North, where results of the February 23 poll were not collated.

  • Orji Kalu denies selling issued shares capital of his banking group

    Dr Orji Kalu, former governor of Abia and Chief Whip of the Ninth Senate, has denied selling the issued shares capital of his banking group, First International Bank (FIB).

    Mr Obinna Kalu, Legal Adviser, FIB Group Limited in a statement issued on Monday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) , said that the online report that Kalu sold the issued shares capital of FIB was misleading.

    “The report that a former governor of Abia, Orji Kalu has sold the issued shares capital of his banking group- First International Bank (FIB) Group Limited, The Gambia is misleading.

    “To set the records straight, Slok Nigeria Limited has not sold any of its issued shares capital in FIB Group Limited, The Gambia to any person or organisation.

    “Be it known that Slok Nigeria Limited remains the legal and genuine owners of FIB Group Limited and its subsidiary banks.

    “Recently, an illegal attempt by one Lilium Grays Limited to take over the subsidiary banks of FIB Group Limited was dismissed by the Supreme Court of The Gambia via a judgment delivered on July 30, 2019.

    “The judgment thus reaffirmed that Slok Nigeria Limited is the legal and genuine wholly owner of FIB Group Limited and its FiBank subsidiaries in Guinea, Gambia and Sierra Leone,” Obinna Kalu said.