Orji Kalu Reveals How Six Months in Prison Changed His Life, Made Him More Humble

The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has disclosed that his six-month imprisonment changed his outlook on life and made him a more humble person.

Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State, said he did not regret the experience, describing his time in prison as a period that taught him important lessons about life.

The senator made the disclosure on Monday during an interview on Arise Television.

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Reflecting on his experience, Kalu said the period behind bars helped him understand life differently and appreciate the lessons that came with difficult experiences.

“It made me more humble. It made me realise that life is not the same thing I used to think about. So I’m very grateful to God I was there,” he said.

He added that he was grateful to those who contributed to his imprisonment, describing the experience as similar to attending a school where he gained valuable lessons.

“And I gave kudos to people that sent me there because it’s like going to school. And I graduated there, and I’m very happy I went there,” he added.

Kalu was convicted in December 2019 by a Federal High Court in Lagos on a 39-count corruption charge and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.

However, on May 8, 2020, the Supreme Court overturned the conviction, ruling that the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, lacked the jurisdiction to deliver the judgment after his elevation to the Court of Appeal.

The apex court ordered a retrial, following which Kalu was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre after spending approximately six months in custody.

Kalu Reacts to His Conviction

Asked whether his conviction was justified, the senator maintained that it was not, but declined to discuss the matter extensively.

“No, it wasn’t the right thing to do. But I don’t like to discuss this because the judge had his reasons. When the judge did it, I praised him. I support all his decisions,” he stated.

Despite his experience, Kalu acknowledged that the judiciary had its shortcomings but maintained that there were judges committed to delivering justice.

He urged Nigerians dissatisfied with judgments delivered by lower courts to pursue appeals rather than publicly attack the judiciary.

According to him, the appellate process provides litigants with another opportunity to seek justice, as decisions are reviewed by higher courts comprising more judges.

His remarks have renewed attention to his 2019 conviction, the Supreme Court’s intervention and his subsequent return to public office.