TheCable

Orji Kalu, former governor of Abia state, has described his trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of the price he has to pay for opposing the alleged third term bid of former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

In a statement issued on his behalf by Ebere Wabara, his spokesman, Kalu said the supreme court ruling which ordered him to submit himself to the anti-graft agency was an opportunity to prove his innocence.

“This is part of the price I have to pay for opposing the third-term agenda fiasco of former President Olusegun Obasanjo,” the statement read.

“I have all the records and facts of the case. I am willing to submit myself for the rule of law to take its course. That has always been my passionate advocacy right from the lower courts where the case emanated.

“This clarification has become imperative lest oppositional forces mischievously misinterpret the ruling and mislead the public by injecting their jaundiced opinions into the routine directive as had always been with similar cases where the apex court intervened. There is nothing novel about the latest manifestation in the on-going litigation—it was the next thing to expect.

“I assure the EFCC of my continued support and profound cooperation in any further investigation into this allegation. Let me reaffirm that all the defence documents relating to the case are at my disposal and I am willing when the time comes to make them available to the agency.

“There is nothing surprising about this stage of the case. Having exhausted the lower court processes, the next level is where we have arrived and as I have always insisted I will be vindicated at the end of it all. I have nothing to fear as there is no skeleton in my cupboard hence my robust commitment to the rule of law in this and other issues involving me.”