Alleged N7.2B Fraud: EFCC Lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs Faces Disqualification From Ex-Gov Orji Kalu’s Trial

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a 7-day ultimatum to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Mr Rotimi Jacobs to show cause on why he should not be disqualified from further prosecuting a former Governor of Abia State and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu in a N7.2billion money laundering charge.

Justice Inyang Ekwo made the order while delivering ruling in a motion filed by Rotimi Jacobs Chambers seeking transfer of the trial to Lagos State division of the Court.

In the ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the senior lawyer and his team have engaged in gross abuse of court process in the manner the prosecution was being handled.

The Judge dismissed the request to transfer the trial to Lagos on the ground that it’s only the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, who can do so in line with section 98 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Alternatively, Justice Ekwo held that the prosecution was at liberty to go back to the Supreme Court to seek a review of the order that remitted the trial to the Federal High Court.

The Judge said that granting the request will lead to a breach of section 235 of the 1999 Constitution and challenging the finality and supremacy of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.