The Nigerian Senate has disclosed that Senator Orji Kalu will continue to receive his salaries and all other entitlements while serving his prison sentence.

Spokesperson of the Senate, Godiya Akwashiki, told Premium Times on Sunday, December 8, that Kalu will be paid all of his entitlements in full because he remains a sitting senator despite that he will not be performing any legislative function from prison.

Akwashiki said that despite the conviction, Mr Kalu remains a sitting senator and will be paid all of his entitlements in full. According to him, until the case gets to the Supreme Court and a final judgement is given, Mr Kalu remains a serving lawmaker.

“He is still a senator. This is the first court. The matter is going to Supreme Court so, he still has the opportunity to appeal up to the Supreme Court level.

“Of course they will pay him. Because he is a sitting senator just like I said…if you file for appeal, you are still serving and so they will pay you.

“All his entitlements will be paid. There is no cause for alarm. In fact, even if Court of Appeal says they have upheld the judgement of the lower court, he still has the right to go to Supreme Court. So once the Supreme Court says, yes, the judgement is okay, then that’s the final,” he explained.

Thelagostimes recalls that the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, sentenced Mr Kalu to 12 years in prison after convicting him of N7.65 billion fraud. Mr Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, was pronounced guilty of the charge in a trial that lasted for 12 years.