As an ardent supporter and admirer of Chief Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, it came to me as a rude shock his criminal conviction by the Federal High Court where he was charged with graft and corruption. I had followed his trial and political ordeal closely. I had also followed closely his solid personal achievements, resounding business break through and managerial abilities before he Ventured into politics to broaden his services to his people. It is a fact which is widely acclaimed that Chief Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was a successful business man before the commencement of his political career. It is also not a hidden fact that he left Abia State better than he met as can evidenced by the many developmental projects he initiated and executed in Abia State.
Though I am not in a position to question the rationale, soundness, justification and merits of the judgment of the Federal High court that convicted him of the purported and alleged offences, yet it is a fact that the judicial process in respect of his case is yet to run it's full circle considering the fact that the matter will definitely reach the apex court of the land before the judgment of the Federal high court convicting him can be said to be full proof. There is equally the chance that his conviction can be quashed by the appellant court.
That brings me to the crux of my appeal cum application to the relevant authorities and the Nigeria prison services to permit me to serve the prison terms of my mentor pending the conclusion of the appeal process which may likely stretch to the supreme court and will take months if not years.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was elected by his constituency to represent them in the upper chamber because they had unflinching confidence that he will represent them fully. What will be the fate of his constituency while he is in prison being prevented from discharging his duties to his constituency, while there is a possibility even if slim of the possible overturning of his conviction by the appellant courts. Who will his constituency hold liable for the period he was prevented from performing his duties to his constituency. Will the EFCC pay for the void that will exist or is existing for the period of his incarceration.
That is the main reason why many civilized countries and jurisdictions create rooms for suspended sentences while the appeals are ongoing or the appeal process is yet to be exhausted. In this particular case, the appeal process is ongoing and yet to be exhausted, yet the Distinguished Senator is already being made to commence service of his prison terms which yet be upturned on appeal.
Considering these facts, I Mr Ejike Osuchukwu is offering myself to be kept in prison in lieu of the Distinguished Senator pending the conclusion of the appeal process, so that the Distinguished Senator will not be hampered on discharging his duties to his constituency and many other citizens who depend on him for their sustenance.
It is not a fact in dispute that the Distinguished Senator is a philanthropist of the first order with thousands of students, physically challenged persons and others depending on him to meet their one need or the other
Infact, it will amount to a crime against humanity for these thousands of dependents to be denied the patronage of this great son of the country consequent on a conviction that is yet to run through the whole appeal process.
It will be in the public interest for me to offer myself to be kept in prison in lieu of the Distinguished Senator so that the Distinguished Senator can be free to discharge his duties to humanity unhampered by a conviction that stand a fifty fifty chance of either being unturned or affirmed on appeal
So, I plead to be given the rare opportunity to serve the prison sentence in lieu of a good man pending the exhaustion of the appeal process.
