Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, has resumed at Senate on Tuesday after he was released from Kuje correctional facility in Abuja last week.
It was gathered that the former governor of Abia state enjoyed all his entitlements, including salaries while in prison even without performing any legislative duty.
Kalu was jailed for 12-years in December 2019 over allegation of misappropriation of Abia’s state funds to the tune of N7.6 billion.
But the senator was released following an order last week Monday by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. Justice Mohammed Liman, who ordered Kalu’s release, also quashed the 12-year jail term imposed on him last December 5 by Justice Mohammed Idris.
This is the first time Kalu is attending the Senate plenary session since he was released from prison. The former governor, however, did not resume his official position, as the deputy chief whip, Sabi Abdullahi acted in the position.
However, Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday officially welcomed Kalu back to the Red Chamber. He thanked God for bringing Kalu back from prison after five months.
“I want to welcome back our one and only chief whip of the senate and indeed the national assembly. Chief whip you are welcome, we are very grateful to the Almighty God for his blessings,” Lawan said.
“Congratulations on being here.”
The Senator was seen receiving ”welcome back” greetings from colleagues, legislative staff, and security operatives.
