Senate president Lawan, others visit Orji Kalu after release from prison (photos)
- Senator Orji Kalu has finally returned home after his release from Kuje prison
- The leadership of the Senate, led by Senate president Lawan, visited embattled senator at his Abuja residence
- Senator Kalu's 12-year conviction for alleged looting of N7.65b was nullified by the Supreme Court while a retrial was ordered
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The president of the Senate Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday, June 4, led other Senators to visit their colleague, Orji Uzor Kalu, at his residence.
Legit.ng notes that the senior lawmakers visited Kalu, the chief whip of the Senate, following his release from prison on Wednesday, June 3.
Senator Kalu and the other visiting lawmakers all wore face masks but did not observe social distancing.
Source: Facebook
"Earlier this evening, the leadership of the Nigerian Senate led by the president of the Senate, His Excellency, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan paid a visit to the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at his residence in Abuja," the Senate posted on its official Facebook page.
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook
The former governor of Abia state was released after months of incarceration at the Kuje Custodial Centre.
Kalu was convicted in December 2019 for alleged looting of N7.65b belonging to Abia state. His conviction was, however, nullified by the Supreme Court while a retrial was ordered.
Legit.ng previously reported that some protesters had stormed the complex of the National Assembly calling on the Senate president Ahmad Lawan to declare vacant the seat of Senator Kalu.
The protesters, who went to the assembly complex on Tuesday, June 2, under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Abia North, staged the show of displeasure against the former state governor.
They argued that Abia North senatorial district feels neglected "angry, less optimistic about their future because they have no representation in the Senate."
The protesters wanted Lawan to declare embattled Senator Kalu's seat vacant so that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can conduct another election for the district.
"The conviction and incarceration of the senator representing Abia North, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu leading to his long absence from the National Assembly has effectively silenced our voices.
"Abia North constituents have no representation in the Nation’s highest deliberative body and cannot participate in matters that affect them," the protesters read from a prepared letter.
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However, reacting to the development, Honourable Benjamin Kalu condemned the actions of the protesters.
Kalu alleged that the protesters were hired by aggrieved political opponents of the senator who wanted to embarrass him.
Kalu who is the spokesman of the lower house and member representing Bende federal constituency of Abia state added that none of the protesters were from Abia state.
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Source: Legit.ng
