Orju Kalu: Ohaneze, Coalition of Igbo Groups Call On Osinbajo To Resign, Abaribe Expelled From PDP

Coalition of Igbo Groups has called on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to resign or face impeachment, while also calling on the Peoples Democratic Party to immediately expel Senate’s minority leader, Senator Enyinnayah Abaribe, from the party.

This is coming following a leaked information and allegation from Mohammed Lawal, Special Assistant to the Former Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, that the duo conspired to jail Senator Orji Kalu, former Abia Governor.

In a statement obtained by Igbere TV on Saturday, the groups described the revelation as “one of the deadliest conspiracies uncovered in this political dispensation.”

The Igbo groups further called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to order an immediate investigation into the said allegations.

It said by the actions of the duo, they have made themselves the “greatest enemies of Igbos in the last 200 years, especially Senator Abaribe who is from the Southeast.”

The Coalition commended the “courageous decision” of Mohammed Lawal to “expose the treacherous nature of some untouchables especially Osinbajo”, who it said had been linked to many corruption allegations and Senator Abaribe, “whose 2023 Governorship ambition has exposed him to become a secret, serial blackmailer and ringleader of the rogue assignment to outwit his perceived political rivals in a bid to win the 2023 Abia guber poll.”

The statement jointly signed by Mazi Alex Okemiri (President, World Igbo Youth Congress), Dr Mrs Helen Ogbonnaya (leader, Southeast Women Professionals), Comrade Chidi Ugwujo (President, Igbo Students Union), was issued at the end of their monthly joint meeting with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State on Saturday 18th July, 2020.

The Coalition said the meeting deliberated extensively on the allegations made by the ex-EFCC boss’s aide indicting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senator Bola Tinubu, Sir Emeka Offor, Senators Ken Nnamani and Enyinnayah Abaribe.

The Coalition presented a Resolution reached during the course of the meeting which includes;

“1) that President Muhammadu Buhari should set up a Special Presidential Committee to conduct an impartial, independent and forensic investigation into the allegations of Mohammed Lawal indicting Osinbajo and others, and having been allegedly indicted and abused his oath of Office as Vice President, Osinbajo should tow the path of honour and resign his position as Vice President and voluntarily submit himself for investigation or if he decides to hide under Immunity Clause of the 1999 Constitution to forestall being investigated, there should be a commencement of impeachment proceedings against him by the National Assembly,

“2) that the Coalition has cajoled Senator Enyinnayah Abaribe, the ringleader of the alleged rogue operation of political incarceration of Sen. Orji Kalu, who had portrayed himself as the self-acclaimed lone Igbo voice in the Senate but behind the scene, was actually drawing scripts for Magu-led EFCC to nail his fellow Senators from Abia State, especially Senator Orji Kalu and another Senator through corruption allegations as strategic plans to outwit his political rivals and avenge his political scores with them. We believe that Abaribe is on a vendetta mission to punish Orji kalu and T. A. Orji after his(Abaribe’s) impeachment as former Abia Deputy Governor in 2003 and the then 2003 PDP family led by the two Senators defeated Him(Abaribe) as the then 2003 ANPP Abia Guber Candidate in the Abia 2003 Governorship Election. It’s believed that Abaribe is resurrecting his guber ambition after 20 years by 2023, and needs APC as alternative platform but needs to checkmate these two powerful Senators from Abia through Magu-led EFCC for his political journey to Abia Government House. We are aware that since 2003, Sir Emeka Offor has been the political godfather of Senator Enyinnayah Abaribe, and we understand their roles, PDP Abia Disciplinary Committee Should investigate Senator Abaribe for the alleged anti-party activities and he should be expelled from party if found guilty by his PDP Ward Executives.”

Particularly, the Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro led Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide described the allegations against the Igbo leaders by Mohammed Lawal against Senator Orji kalu as “the height of injustice ever perpetuated against the collective interests of Southeast and the Igbo Spirit of ‘Onye Ahala Nwanneya’ (Be my Brothers keeper).” “There will be strict sanctions against any Igbo political leader, if found guilty of instigating any political witchhunt of another Igbo leader(s) through the EFCC.”

Revamping the Ministry of Mines & Steel Development under Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite.

Yesterday, being July 16th, 2020, Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Hon. Minister of Mines and Steel Arc.Olamilekan Adegbite joined President Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari as he presided over Virtual Launch of Gold Purchase Programme in State House, Abuja.

Arc.Olamilekan Adegbite the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), has undoubtedly distinguished himself as the “Dark Horse” in President Buhari’s executive team.

Arc.Adegbite midas initiative has once again given birth to the fruition of President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic diversification plan.

For the first time ever, Nigeria is producing artisanally-mined golds that have been processed & refined according to London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) @lbmaexecutive standards.

67% of Netherlands foreign reserve is kept as Gold Reserves,with the #PAGMI launched today, Nigeria joined countries who can express part of her foreign reserves as Gold Reserves. 12.5KG and worth about 290m is the opening step, and for a long time no matter what President Buhari’s legacy will remain indelible.

While we’re here speaking grammar,President Buhari is quietly restructuring Nigeria, and securing a golden future for his countrymen.

The 12.5kg bar of gold (artisanally-mined in Nigeria) is worth 268 MILLION NAIRA. @cenbank has today presented a Cheque for that amount to #PAGMI. The gold now belongs to Nigeria’s External Reserves. (With PAGMI, CBN will be able to boost gold reserves with Naira, not dollars).

This landmark achievement means more job creation, increased GDP and so much more.

Thanks to President Buhari…

Kudos to the Hon Minister of Mines and Steel Development Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite

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• Kenneth Cole posts from Abuja

THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST ORJI UZOR KALU FINALLY EXPOSED

By Victor Okoroafor

Time is said to be the greatest arbiter of truth and justice. In the fullness of time, the truth shall be laid bare. This truism seems to have been demonstrated amply by the narrative rendered by Mohammed Lawal, Office Assistant to Ibrahim Magu, the recently suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It is better to present unadulterated the narrative of Mr. Lawal, which reveals the conspiracy that led to the sudden conviction of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu by Justice Idris of the Nigerian Court of Appeals, (an appellate judge that usurped the position of a trial judge just to convict a marked man).

Many Nigerians understood that there was more to the conviction of Senator Kalu than was shown on the pages of the newspapers and screens of social media platforms. But the whole truth is emerging now only when a witness to the plot has chosen to speak out.

THE MEN BEHIND THE PLOT TO TAKE ORJI UZOR KALU OUT OF THE GAME (By Mohammed Lawal)

My name is Mohammed Lawal, Special Assistant to the former Acting Chairman of EFCC, C.P. Ibrahim Magu. I worked with him directly and I traveled with him within Nigeria most of the time.

I am familiar with the details of my boss’ involvement in the case of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. I first noticed that the Vice President Osinbajo was actively interested in the case of Senator Kalu when I accompanied my boss to the office of the Vice President on the matter. Though I was not in the meetings between my boss and the Vice President, I knew the meetings were about Senator Kalu because we went to the meetings with only one file and it was Senator Kalu’s file. Also, on many occasions, I overheard phone conversations between my boss and various people in connection with the case of Orji Uzor Kalu, then pending at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Basically, my boss was following the request or directives of the Vice President and Governor Ahmed Tinubu. My boss had no personal interest in Orji Uzor Kalu. But my boss is very close to Tinubu and the Vice President, as they have been his greatest supporters, especially after the Senate failed to confirm him. The Vice President was his pillar of support in making sure that he remained the Acting Chairman of the EFCC irrespective of the fact that the Senate refused to confirm him as the substantive Chairman. My boss became very very close to the Vice President. The loyalty of my boss to Tinubu was also connected with his understanding that Senator Saraki blocked his confirmation and he believed that Tinubu and Saraki hated each other.

My understanding is that a group of strange bedfellows were working together to get Orji Uzor Kalu out of the way, and their best option was to work with the EFCC and judge handling the case pending against the Senator. The people working together against Kalu were Tinubu, the Vice President Osinbajo, Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Chief Emeka Offor, who is a business partner with Ken Nnamani. These people have different motives but for some reason, they felt they needed each order. Senator Ken Nnamani tries to position himself as a leader of the APC in Igbo land. It is all a game of influence within the APC in the South East. With access to the party leadership, Nnamani and Emeka Offor cornered a chunk of government contracts going to the South East. Their company, the Enugu power distribution company, has been a vital interest that needed government protection. The company has not performed despite the huge public funds pumped into it. The men needed continued closeness to Federal Government in order for the government not to raise issues about the non-performance of that company and similar interests.

So, it is all about who could be said to lead the APC in the South East. The speedy rise of Orji Uzor Kalu within the APC is perceived as a threat to the interest of Senator Nnamani and Chief Emeka Offor. That is the foundation of their opposition and rivalry toward Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. Nnamani, aware that Kalu’s name had been often mentioned by key stakeholders as a potential presidential candidate in 2023, approached Tinubu for mutual support against Kalu. They made the case to Tinubu that Senator Kalu was an obstacle to be addressed ahead of time.

Everybody understood that Tinubu had an ambition for the presidency. Tunubu understood that Orji Uzor Kalu was a potential rival. There was a common interest between Tinubu and Ken Nnamani/Emeka Offor in neutralizing Orji Uzor Kalu. With Kalu out of the way, Nnamani and Offor would have no serious rival as the leader of APC in the South East and Tinubu would have one potential rival for the presidency out of the way.

The Vice President had been working to support Tinubu’s ambition. He and Tinubu were happy to use the two well-known Igbo figures to neutralize Orji Uzor Kalu. So, Senator Nnamani’s and Emeka Offor’s quest for unrivaled influence in the South East and Senator Abaribe’s personal grudge against Orji Uzor Kalu became very useful to Tinubu. And these men worked together to achieve the common goal of taking Orji Uzor Kalu down by any means possible, provided they would not be seen to have been the ones behind that outcome.

My boss, Magu, came into the picture because Tinubu and the Vice President saw our (EFCC) case against Senator Kalu as the perfect opportunity to get Kalu. We (EFCC) had a good relationship with Justice Idris then of the Federal High Court, Lagos. Also, both Tinubu and the Vice President have considerable influence with the judge. My boss met with Justice Idris many times over Orji Uzor Kalu’s case. I remember vividly one meeting in Tinubu’s house in Lagos, which was attended by my boss, the Vice President and the judge. My boss went into that meeting with only one file and that was the file of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

I am also aware of certain information in the file, that was manufactured and manipulated and used against Kalu. For instance, the total amount of the cheques covering the money Orji Uzor Kalu was accused of embezzling was actually 2.1 billion naira, not the 7.6 billion that we made it out to be. And the cheques in question were drawn against the security votes account. I know what was done to turn things around and make the figures to become 7.6 billion, and present it as if taken from the state treasury instead of the security votes account. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s conviction was carefully arranged and it worked out as planned, at least initially.

Three factors led me to disclose the truth of what happened here. Firstly, the conviction of Senator Kalu was quashed, making nonsense of the plot to put him away. And his popularity within the party leadership remained high throughout the time he was in prison. Secondly, my boss has been so unfairly treated in the manner he was publicly humiliated and ridiculed out of office. The Vice President and Tinubu did not do enough to protect him, despite that he was loyal to them. And thirdly, Chief Fani-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation, recently published an article disclosing that my boss was working for Tinubu and the Vice President, and that they used him. If he knew that much, it shows that I am not the only one that knew about the role these men played to get Orji Uzor Kalu jailed. I have no incentive to keep quiet about what happened to my boss.

Senate Grants Kalu’s Motion Tasks FG to Rehabilitate Eastern Rail Line

Kenneth Udeh, Abuja.

The Senate made this resolution while considering a motion on “urgent need to resuscitate and reactivate the rehabilitation and concession of the Eastern Rail line Project”, sponsored by Orji Uzor Kalu, and co-sponsored by 102 other senators.

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday urged the executive arm of government to prioritise the commencement of the rehabilitation and concessioning agreement for the Eastern corridor of railway line.

The Senate made this resolution while considering a motion on “urgent need to resuscitate and reactivate the rehabilitation and concession of the Eastern Rail line Project”, sponsored by Orji Uzor Kalu, and co-sponsored by 102 other senators.

Presenting the motion, Kalu highlighted that one of the greatest challenges facing the country as an emerging economy is poor infrastructural development. Particularly, the movement of goods and persons from one point to another is becoming very cumbersome, if not hazardous.

Senator Kalu expressed further that the Federal Government in recognition of the fact that there is dire need for transformation of the Nigerian Railway system into a more dynamic and functional one, encouraged the use of rail to reduce road traffic congestion problems and open up the sector to private sector investment to reduce its burden on the Federal Government.

Kalu,pointed out that it became imperative to propel the executive to take the action in view of its huge revenue potentials to the national economy and for movement of people to reduce the burden on dilapidated roads within the Eastern axis of the country.

He lamented that the Eastern rail line had been denied similar attention given to Lagos-Kano (Western) rail line in spite of the fact that investigations revealed that the Eastern rail line remained the most lucrative route in Nigeria.

The lawmaker in his presentation noted that one of the greatest challenges facing the nation as an emerging economy was poor infrastructural development,

He said, “The movement of goods and persons from one point to another is becoming very cumbersome, if not hazardous.

“The Federal Government in 2017 entered into an agreement with General Electric, a Boston, United States based company, under the Rehabilitation and Concessioning of Western and Eastern Railway lines to connect Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Kaduna, Katsina, Enugu, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Yobe and Kano States.

“And while the Western lines of 1,126 km are from Lagos to Kano and to N guru 230 km, Funtua mom and Kaura Namoda 121 km. The Eastern lines are from Port Harcourt to Kaduna 915 km, Maiduguri 706 km, 105 35 km.

“In spite of the fact that the railways are more efficient in haulage of bulk loads over long distances in environmental and economic ease including cargoes and petroleum products, the sector suffers neglect especially the Eastern rail line which commences in Port Harcourt in Rivers State, passing through Abia State, Enugu, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano to Gombe and terminates in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“The Eastern rail line had been denied a similar attention given to Lagos Kano (Western) rail line in spite of the fact that investigations revealed that the Eastern rail line remains the most lucrative route in Nigeria.

“In spite of being the most lucrative route in Nigeria and a distance of about 1402 km having passed through Aba in Abia State, the commercial nerve centre of the South East is regrettably left in a comatose condition resulting in Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) losing at least N208 million each year since 2014.”

The Senate in its resolutions, mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance by the executive arm of government and report back to the Senate in three weeks for further legislative action.

BREAKING: DSS Arrests EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu

He was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties and that he was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has been arrested by the Department of State Services.

He was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties and that he was allegedly transferring funds abroad through a third party.

He was arrested at the Wuse II office of the DSS on Monday afternoon and is now undergoing interrogation at the DSS Headquarters In Aso Drive.

The DSS in a 2016 report revealed that accused of living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.

“In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.

“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service.

“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.

“Investigations show that the acting EFCC chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet owned by Mohammed.

“In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.

“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns,” the DSS report said.

Magu is yet to be confirmed as the substantive chairman of the EFCC despite occupying the position in acting capacity for many years.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Local Government and the Appointment of Transition Committee Chairmen in Nigeria

Focus on the Showdown between Abia State House versus Abia State Executive

The development of Local Government system in Nigeria, can be traced to the Native Authority Ordinance of 1916, which was passed by the British colonial government.

More recently, elected Local Government Council Chairmen have been dissolved and replaced with Transition Committees or Caretakers Committees appointed by the governors of their respective states. One of the strategies often used by the State Governments to circumvent the law is to appoint politicians or civil servants to run the affairs of the councils.

Under the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended, the State-Local Government Joint Account (SJLGA) is a special account maintained by each state government, which “allocations shall be paid into the local government councils by the Governments of the State,” according to (Section 162 (6) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria).

One of the functions of the State House of Assembly, is to guide the state government (Executive) about appointment of Transition Committee Chairmen or Caretaker Committees just like it happened in Imo state recently when the State House of Assembly asked the state government to appoint Transition Committee Chairmen into the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.

According to them, their motion was in line with the provisions of the law No. 7 2013.

The lawmakers, who cited section 45A of the Imo State local government administration as (amended) law No. 7 of 2013, said that the section provides that for any reason elections for local government do not hold before the expiration of the tenure of the office of the elected chairmen and councilors the governor shall appoint an interim committee to manage the affairs of the local councils.

Similarly, in Anambra state. The House of Assembly screened and confirmed the appointment of 18 and stepped down 3 other people nominated by Gov. Willie Obiano as Chairmen and Local Government Transition Committee.

“The tenure of the transitional committee as approved by the state House of Assembly in Anambra is 3 months, after which it could be renewed or fresh appointment made”.

In Abia state, on the 7th February 2020, the All Progressive Congress (APC) issued a press statement where it gave the state government end of May 2020 to conduct a Local Government election across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

The APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Benedict Godson said that the call for local government election “has become expedient because of the negative effect of using Transition Committee Chairmen to run government in the third tier is having on delivering democratic dividends to the people at the grassroots.”

The tenure of the current Transition Committee Chairmen in Abia state lapses on the 17th June 2020. Therefore, the executive has to communicate to the state House of Assembly before the expiration of the tenure of the Transition Committee Chairmen, either indicating renewal for another 6 months term or fresh appointment.

However, the state House of Assembly by the powers vested on them, on the 27th June 2020, which was 10 days after the tenure expiration of the Transition Committee Chairmen asked them to vacate office as their further stay in office is unconstitutional.

Hon. Jerry Uzosike, while contributing to the matter quoted by laws backing the matters brought by Hon Emeka Okorafor, Laws of Abia state of Nigeria 2005, Cap 21, Section 5: “The Committee shall perform the functions of the Executive for 6 months subject to the ratification of Abia State House of Assembly”. Therefore any further action by the Transition Committee Chairmen amounts to illegality.

CONCLUSION

The failure of the state governor to communicate with the state House of Assembly before the 6 months tenure expiration of the current Transition Committee Chairmen, on the 17th June 2020, amounts to “executive rascality” which is one too many.

The State House of Assembly should deepening its democratic principle of “checks and balances,” and function by demanding “a strict compliance” on appointment of new Transition Committee Chairmen, whose tenure shouldn’t be more than 3 months and election date should be announced for a new set of Local Government Chairmen for all the 17 Local Government Councils before the 3 months tenure expiration of the Transition Committee Chairmen.

APC Party Abia state chapter should wake up from sleep/slumber as they are neither here nor there in deepening democracy which can be used to “check and balance” the ruling party of PDP in Abia state.

They should seize the moment by renewing their earlier call for Local Government elections across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

APC should come out in numbers to do rallies, street protests and awareness campaigns against the Abia state’s “executive rascality” of approbate and at the same reprobate.

The protesters should demand that election for the new Local Government Chairmen should be conducted based on their earlier press release on the 7th February 2020 that Local Government election is a must after May 31st deadline.

Finally, the State House of Assembly should amend the law which stipulates 6 months for Transitional Committee Chairmen to 3 months as it is done in other South Eastern states of Nigeria.

The dire is cast, APC Abia state Chapter should use this opportunity to save the day, by proving to the down trodden masses that they are for the betterment of Abians and not for a few selected few.

Thanks and God bless Abians, Gods Own State.

Advocate Uchenna Uzoije

Programme Manager Bureau of African Labour Human & Democratic Rights

Senator Orji Kalu presents his First Bill seeks to amend ACJ act

Kenneth Udeh, Abuja.

Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State ,Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Wednesday presented his first Bill since his assumption of office.

The bill according to Senator Kalu, seeks to amend the Administration of Criminal Justice Act , 2015 (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (SB .465).

The bill was read by clerk of the Senate Mr. Nelson Ayewoh and was passed for second reading after a voice vote presided by over the President of the Senate , Ahmed Lawan.

Speaking in a telephone conversation on the motive of the bill S.A. to Senator Kalu, Barrister Emeka Nwala, said the bill is aimed at strengthening the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He explained further that that the bill seeks to amend the administration of criminal justice Act 2015 sections contradicting the principles of fair hearing and court jurisdiction as provided in the Constitution.

Recall that the Supreme Court, in an unanimous judgement on May 8th 2020, faulted a section of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) which sentenced the former Governor to 12 years imprisonment for fraud and money laundering on December 5 last year.

The section relied upon by the President of the Court of Appeal grants leave to a trial judge, who had been elevated to the Court of Appeal, to return to the lower court to conclude a case.

Senator Orji Kalu spent 6 months in incarceration at the Kuje Custodial Centre, Abuja after he was sentenced by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

However, the apex court, in a unanimous judgment by the Justice Amina Augie-led seven-man panel, held that the Federal High Court in Lagos acted without jurisdiction when it tried and convicted Kalu, his firm – Slok Nigeria Limited.

The Supreme court panel later quashed the judgment, the panel held that Justice Mohammed Idris, who conducted the trial and sentenced Kalu, was no longer a judge of the Federal High Court as at the time he delivered the judgment, adding that having been elevated to the Court of Appeal, Justice Idris, lacked the powers to return to sit as a High Court Judge.

Details later …

Sen. Orji Kalu Donates Solar Power Worth Over N20m To Kuje Prison Community

By Philip Odion:

I was compelled to write about what Senator (Dr.) Orji Uzor Kalu did for Kuje Prison because I witnessed a bit of it. My cousin is currently in Kuje prison as an inmate. Also, my townsman is a prison officer in Kuje. Through the two, I was able to get the details of the event that I now share with you.

I had gone to Kuje to deliver food to my cousin. As I was being searched at their front desk area, preparatory to letting me into the complex, suddenly, Senator Kalu arrived. There were some heightened activities and movements signalling that an important government official had arrived. The warder in charge of the arrival hall quickly waved me to a corner and motioned for me to be quiet and to wait for the August guest to be received. The Officer in Charge of the Prison and other prison officers came out to receive the Senator. They all went into the office. Then I heard the warders saying among themselves that Senator Kalu had come to inspect the solar electric power he installed for the prison. This happened last weekend.

As I sat in the waiting area for my cousin to be called out, I saw the Senator, led by the Officer in Charge and followed by other officers, all going into the prison yard. When my cousin came out to meet me, I asked him what was going on. By then the Senator was already inside the yard and I could hear the loud shouts of excitement as the inmates and warders were jubilating and calling the Senator’s name. My cousin explained to me why everybody was excited.

I learnt that since December last year when Senator Kalu arrived in the prison, he practically changed the lives of the inmates in every conceivable way. He paid the legal fees of scores of inmates. He helped many more to perfect the conditions of their bails and to regain their freedom. Every inmate with a problem only needed for the Senator to hear his problem and something would be done to help. He fed inmates. He paid for medicine for those who were sick. Before Senator Kalu arrived in prison, the prison community had electricity between 7pm and 11pm each day. But right immediately after he arrived, he increased the time they had electricity. He paid for electricity from 3pm to 7pm and 11pm to 1am. It is important to note that the Senator had a private generator that supplied power 24/7 to his area. He just wanted to help the inmates and staff of the prison by more than doubling the duration for which they had electricity.

Even before he left the prison on 3rd June, 2020, Senator Kalu had initiated a solar power project for the prison, by way of a lasting solution to the electricity supply. It was initially considered an inmates-financed project. But the cost was a whooping 27 million naira. It was considered too exorbitant and was nearly abandoned. But the Senator surprised everybody. You would think that once he left the prison, he would forget the people in prison. But not Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. He came back and paid 21 million naira toward the solar project. Olisah Metuh, Jolly Nyame and a couple of other inmates paid the remaining 6 million naira.

From this project, Senator Kalu has demonstrated four distinct qualities. He is generous. He is a man of honor that will keep his word even when the circumstances change. He is a very generous person. He remains an exceedingly wealthy man irrespective of the massive disruptions his businesses suffered due to the fake conviction and imprisonment he endured for 6 months. Orji Uzor Kalu is a man who will go to any extent to help those in need.

As my townsman further confirmed, the staff of the prison are hearing that the Senator is contemplating some further measures that will dramatically transform and modernize the Nigerian justice system from top to bottom. He is planning a total reformation of the justice system in Nigeria and everybody will benefit from it.

To add, the Senator is a simple man. He doesn’t seem to like a lot of ceremonies or attention. The prison had already enjoyed the solar power for over a week before he came to inspect it. And he came unannounced and with only one of his aides. His visit lasted less than 25 minutes and he was gone.

Now every custody in Kuje Prison has power, DSTV and the ability to pump water 24/7. (Yes, he paid for the DSTV for inmates and the prison clinic till the end of the year). The clinic, the church, the mosque and the library now all have electricity 24/7, thanks to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

As he was leaving the prison, I tried to get close to him to get his business card. No way: a mean-looking warder told me to sit down and finish with my cousin, as if he knew what was on my mind and was determined to frustrate it. Anyway, it was quite interesting to witness all that.