The Federal High Court in Lagos has given a former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu not more than seven days to appear before it.
okay.ng gathered that the High Court judge, Justice Mohammed Idris gave the order yesterday at the resumed hearing in the case in Lagos.
Kalu who was absent at the hearing, is facing trial over allegations of fraud to the tune of N7.65 billion.
His lawyer, Professor Awa Kalu (SAN), told Justice Idris his client was away in Germany for a surgical operation. He added that the ex-governor had been advised by his doctors to remain in Germany for some time to recuperate.
The defence counsel told the court that the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), was aware of the development and urged Justice Idris to further adjourn the case.
But the EFCC prosecutor, Jacobs, said he was surprised at Kalu’s absence from court, adding that he did not know if or when the ex-governor obtained the court’s permission to travel out.
Jacobs noted that having submitted his passport to the court as part of his bail conditions, Kalu must always apply to the court for the passport whenever he wished to travel.