The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, OYC, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to stop persecuting a former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Recall that after the Supreme Court quashed Kalu’s imprisonment, the EFCC has returned to court, seeking a retrial.
But the OYC, in a statement by its President-General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike and the Secretary-General, Comrade Obinna Achuonye, noted that Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, was being made to face a double jeopardy and persecution.
The group linked Kalu’s retrial to the 2023 presidency, urging the EFCC to stop subjecting the Senator to a further mental torture.
“There is no doubt that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is being hunted by a cartel in the All Progressives Congress, APC, over his perceived 2023 presidential ambition, which he has never proclaimed anywhere,” the Igbo youth leader said.
He added that, “Igbo youths worldwide are not happy with EFCC’s decision; we see it as total witch-hunting; a case already decided by the highest court of the land, why the retrial? We call on the commission to stay a further trial of the Senator over that matter, he should be allowed to enjoy the freedom given to him by the apex court in the land.
“We equally urge Igbo leaders to rise in defense of Kalu; he was already made before he became Governor of Abia State; he is not one those that had no address prior to joining politics.”
Meanwhile, the OYC has asked Kalu and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, also from Abia State, to sheath their sword and work for the common interest of Ndigbo.
“Whatever differences they have should be set aside for the interest of Ndigbo; we need both of them to come together and pursue Igbo agenda. We should learn not to wash our dirty lines in public.
“They are both from Abia State and holding sensitive positions in the Senate; our expectation is that they should be at the fore-front, use these positions to galvanize and achieve the collective interest of Ndigbo,” the OYC added.
