By Erewunmi Peace

The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has expressed concern over the rising insecurity in the South-East, attributing much of the violence to the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Kalu stated during a television interview on Sunday that violent agitations in recent years have led to massive loss of lives and destruction of businesses across the region. He claimed that “over 30,000 people” may have been killed as a result of the unrest.

However, the figure he cited has not been independently verified by security agencies, human-rights organisations, or any official government data. The number currently exists only as an estimate from the senator’s remarks.

Kalu urged the South-East to embrace dialogue and seek a political solution to the crisis rather than continued confrontation.

Clarifying Kalu’s EFCC Case

Following reactions on social media, many users revisited Orji Uzor Kalu’s past corruption case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Kalu was convicted in December 2019 for a N7.1bn fraud case and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

In May 2020, the Supreme Court set aside the conviction on procedural grounds — specifically, that the trial judge had already been elevated to the Court of Appeal and therefore lacked jurisdiction to deliver the judgment.

This ruling did not acquit Kalu of the charges, nor did it declare him innocent. It simply nullified the initial trial.

The EFCC was expected to re-arraign him, but fresh attempts at prosecution have since faced procedural challenges in higher courts.

Kalu’s comments about insecurity are real, but the “30,000 deaths” claim has no confirmed independent backing.

His fraud conviction was voided, not overturned on merit. He was not acquitted, and the case remains legally unresolved.

The senator is calling for a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu/IPOB issue.