The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of engaging in a politically motivated witch-hunt against former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, following the recent move to retry him over an alleged N7.1 billion fraud.
In a statement signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, COSEYL expressed outrage over the Court of Appeal’s decision to grant the EFCC leave to challenge a previous Federal High Court ruling that barred Kalu’s retrial. The group insisted that Kalu had already been acquitted after a thorough legal process, making any further prosecution an abuse of judicial procedure.
“This sudden push to retry Senator Kalu, despite his acquittal, raises serious concerns about the integrity of our justice system,” the statement read. “It is clear that this case is not about fighting corruption but about targeting and discrediting Igbo leaders for political reasons.”
COSEYL warned that the move could set a dangerous precedent where political opponents are selectively prosecuted, rather than genuine efforts being made to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.
“The EFCC must not allow itself to be used as a tool for political persecution. Justice must be based on facts, not political calculations for 2027,” the group added.
Calling on the judiciary to resist external pressures, COSEYL emphasized that any attempts to manipulate legal institutions for political gain would only further erode public trust in the system.
With political tensions rising, the retrial of Senator Kalu has sparked widespread debate, with many seeing it as a test of the judiciary’s independence and the true intentions behind Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.