The seat of the jailed senator, Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North has been declared intact by the Senate. The politician was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for corruption recently.
According to Senate spokesperson, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, Kalu’s seat is retained until he has used up every legal option to prove that he is not guilty.
Godiya said that the Nigerian constitution does not permit the arm of the National Assembly to declare the seat of any senator still facing trial or convicted by a lower court, vacant.
His words, “The Senate has no reason to declare his seat vacant. This is not the first time that such a thing would happen.
“There is no provision in the constitution that says the seat of any senator facing prosecution or convicted at a lower court should be declared vacant.
“He still has the opportunity to appeal the case.”
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