… says he was jailed for offense not committed
… recounts he left prosperous Abia as governor 14 years
… adds he funded PDP in 1998.
Like the biblical Solomon who after leading a sumptuous
life of wealth with a harem of women, 700 wives and 300
concubines, declared life vanity upon vanity, Senator Orji
Uzo Kalu has also followed that route.
Though Kalu is not known to have a throng of women, his
name, however, is synonymous with affluence and
influence.
Outside being a notable business man, Kalu, currently
serving as the Senate Chief Whip while representing Abia
North senatorial district of Abia was also the governor of
the south eastern State from 1999 to 2007.
But upon his exit from office, he was accused of
embezzling about N7.1billion from Abia State coffers by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
In December 2019, Kalu was pronounced guilty by a court
and sent to Kuje prisons in Abuja to serve a 12 year jail
term .
However, in May, 2020, respite came his way as the
Supreme Court quashed the conviction and ordered a
retrial .
Similarly, by an application, a court also barred EFCC
from including the Senator in the fresh trial.
But the anti-graft agency was miffed by the decison of the
court and has reportedly appealed the matter for it to be
set aside.
Marking the second anniversary of his incarceration on
Sunday, Kalu said that the experience was worth it to
teach him that life was all vanity upon vanity.
Taking to his verified Facebook page to reminisce his the
dark period of his life in a piece titled “Kuje: Two Years
After”, the former Abia governor also said that his 6 month
imprisonment was an act of God.
He said he was jailed for offence not committed .
Kalu also recalled his days as governor, saying he left Abia
a prosperous State, adding that he funded the People’s
Democratic Party, PDP with his own money in 1998.
Below was Kalu’s testimony extracted from his Facebook
wall.
“Today is the second anniversary of my incarceration at
the Nigerian Correctional Service Medial Security Custodial
Centre, Kuje, Abuja. I was imprisoned for an offence I
never committed. Despite all the witnesses rescuing
themselves, I was pronounced guilty of 39 charges out of
the 39 concocted charges leveled against me. What
magic! In 1998, I used my money to fund the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), my former party and individuals. I
built several businesses and I left more than $4 billion
balance sheet before venturing into politics.
“Today, those who have done no business or multiplied
any money parade themselves as holy saints whereas
those who have worked hard and multiplied money are
expected to be penniless. I am not a saint and should not
be judged as one. I didn’t start life as a politician. I am a
businessman ; a capitalist with human face.
“When I was governor 14 years ago, I served Abia with
my conscience and left a prosperous and popular state. I
provided security, free education, infrastructure, built
hospitals, and never owed salaries or pensions. I created
the enabling environment for business growth,
encouraged and supported many businesses, and also
grew sports. After I left office as Governor in 2007, I
stayed out of power for 12 years and only became a
Senator in 2019. The beauty of constitutional democracy
is term limit and at all times, the government is a
continuum .
“Today, my performance as governor is also being
replicated as a Senator .
“Aside from reconstruction of schools, material
empowerment, medical outreach, job offers, I have
completed more than 31 rural roads in Abia North and
looking forward to others to be completed soon.
“My dear friends and compatriots, I am grateful to God for
the six months I spent in Kuje; He sanctioned it. God
knows I fear no one except Him. Those who conspired
against me wanted me buried at all cost, but like the
biblical Job, there is a sense in which God allowed those
temporary and tragic events to happen to Job. My
perception of life changed after the six months of
incarceration – life is vanity. I did not just learn a lot of
lessons, I became a reformed and better man. I was very
impacted by what happened to me. More than ever, I have
relearnt that kindness and forgiveness are what should
rule the world, not wickedness. I have since forgiven all
the people that were instrumental to my ordeal. I forgive
them because they probably did not know what they were
doing.
“I recall that on the first night I slept in the prison, I was
questioning God. On the third day, God told me He
allowed me to be imprisoned for a purpose and for a
short time. I vividly recall I was scheduled to be in Wuhan,
China on December 9, 2019, but my incarceration halted
my journey .
“For some, my imprisonment may have meant different
things to them; but for me, my family, friends, business
and political associates, supporters, as well as well-
wishers, it was destiny at play. Those who knew me early
in life will bear witness that I am a child of grace and
destiny. When I was a Student Union President at the
University of Maiduguri, my activism led to my suspension
and some of my executives from the school. Even though
the school recalled me, I refused to return because my
executives were not included. My life has been that of
testimony.
“For all my friends and colleagues sitting in the upper and
lower echelons who stood by me and the people of Abia
North during the trying period, I remain very grateful.
Throughout the six months, I ate once a day . I am so
much grateful to my lovely wife for her timely delivery of
the food. Her love, care, patience, prayers and endurance
kept me strong. I also thank my dear mother for her
prayers and motherly concern which must have caused
her so much trauma. God will continue to bless the two
women in my life.
“My special thanks and appreciation goes to the President
of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan for his
loyalty to friendship. God will bless him and his family.
“My profound gratitude also goes to Senator Ibikunle
Amosun, Senator Kashim shettima and Senator Sani Musa
and a host of others too numerous to mention. May God
show you love always.
“The hatred, jealousy, betrayal, greed, bitterness in this
country is enormous and terrible. People will just hate,
curse, and envy you because you are successful, without
considering how much hard work, energy, endurance, and
patience you have expended in building businesses and
your life.
“How I so much wish for love and empathy in this country.
“How I wish we can embrace and love each other.
“How I wish people could be more loving and considerate
towards their neighbours with zero sentiments of tribe and
language.
“How I wish people can have respect for human lives. I
hope that with God on our side, our dreams will someday
come true. #OUK. #keepHopeAlive”.
