We have no reason to declare Orji Kalu's seat vacant - Senate

The Senate on Friday ruled out the possibility of declaring vacant, the seat of its Chief Whip, Senator Orji  Kalu,  following his conviction by a Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday.

Kalu,   a former governor of Abia State, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment over a N7.1bn fraud charges against him since 2007 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Reacting to the calls on the leadership of the Senate to declare his seat vacant,  the Spokesperson for the red chamber, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, said it was not possible.

He said such a request would only be considered after the embattled senator had explored all the legal options available to him without success.

Akwashiki argued that the constitution of Nigeria does not mandate the Senate President to unilaterally declare the seat of any senator facing prosecution or convicted by a lower court, vacant.

He said, “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.

“Even the tenure of a former governor Joshua Dariye, who has been in prison for some time now, ran its course until the end of the 8th National Assembly. Nobody declared his seat vacant.

“The Senate President cannot declare the seat of Kalu vacant. It is against the law.

“Tell those who are canvassing such things that there is nothing like that, it is a non-issue,” the Senate spokesperson added.