The ₦2.9 billion money laundering case between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu is set to be concluded by the end of September, the presiding judge has revealed.

This information was disclosed on Monday during the resumption of the trial. The trial judge Justice Muhammed Idris implied that he received a directive from the president of the Court of Appeal Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa that the case should be concluded before the end of September.

This follows a letter from Kalu’s lawyer Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), who had written to Justice Bulkachuwa, asking for special dispensation to allow Justice Idris conclude hearing in the case which is already at an advanced stage.

Justice Idris is among twelve high court judges recently promoted to the court of appeal. The other judges have proceeded on their annual vacation and are expected back in September. Justice Idris, ostensibly on the directive of the president of the Court of Appeal, has however forgone his vacation in order to speedily trial and conclude the former governor’s case.

Judges promoted to the appeal court are normally expected to finish up all ongoing cases at the lower court before officially assuming their new positions as justices of the Court of Appeal.

Kalu is standing trial for allegedly diverting ₦2.9 billion from Abia State’s coffers during his tenure as governor. He is a co-defendant along with one of his companies Slok Nigeria Limited and a former Director of Finance and Account, Abia State Government House, Ude Udeogu.

The prosecution had closed its case on May 11 while the defence opted to file no-case submissions in response to the 34-count charges. The defendants maintain their innocence on all counts.

During proceedings Monday counsel for the prosecution Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had sought to amend the charges and re-arraign the defendants, a move fiercely contested by Kalu’s lawyer and the other defence counsels Chief K.C. Neoformation (SAN) and Solo Akuma (SAN).