The verdict delivered by a Federal High Court in Lagos, following the 12 years long trial of former Abia governor, Orji Kalu received a warm reception amongst some residents of the Aba.
It was gathered that Aba is the main base of Kalu , it however did not stop some of the residents from positing that the judgment would deter other political office holders from being corrupt while serving the people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Mohammed Idris convicted Kalu on 39 counts of N7.2 billion fraud and money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
A lawyer and social critic, Chief Ukpai Ukairo told NAN: “The judgment is momentous and shows that you can run but cannot hide.
“The judgment shows that though the wheel of justice grinds slowly, it will surely grind very well.
“It is also a warning to all those in positions of authority that abuse the trust of the people.”
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party in Abia, Chief Okey Nwagbara, also lauded the judgment, saying that it demonstrated the commitment of the Federal Government to fight corruption.
While for Mr Uche Emeku of the Easy Life Initiative for Rural Youths (ELIRY), the judgment showed that the judiciary could act independently.
