Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) has reacted to the conviction of the former Abia State Governor who is currently a serving Senator.
Sagay hailed the All Progressives Congress, APC over the court verdict on ex-governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, who is also a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls 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 on Thursday.
The former Governor was sentenced to 12 years in prison for N7.65 billion fraud.
Sagay, in his reaction said Kalu’s conviction had proved wrong those accusing the ruling APC of protecting corrupt politicians under its party from being prosecuted.
Sagay disclosed this in an interview with Daily Independent. Sagay called on those making claims that APC members have immunity from being persecuted to apologise to President Buhari and the APC.
According to him, those claims made by the opposition can be considered as ‘Hate Speech’.
He said: “All those who have been saying that if you should join APC, you are covered by some immunity for any corruption or wrongdoing and nobody can touch you have been proven wrong.
“From what has happened in the case of Orji Kalu, we can consider what those people are saying as hate speech.
“By saying that, what they are doing is creating prejudice, anger and displeasure against the APC government for no just cause.
“I think they should apologise to this government and to the party for their unbridled and irresponsible opinion on this matter.