Nigeria, Dec. 5 -- Justice Muhammed Idris on Thursday sentenced a former Abia State governor, Orji Kalu, to 12 years in prison for stealing public funds while in office.

Mr Kalu, a serving senator, was jailed alongside Udeh Udeogu, his Director of Finance and Accounts at the Abia State Government House during Mr Kalu's tenure. Mr Udeogu was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A third defendant, Mr Kalu's company, Slok Nigeria Limited, was ordered to be wound up and its assets forfeited to the Nigerian government.

Mr Kalu's prosecution started 12 years ago, in 2007 after he left office as governor.

The defendants were eventually faced with an amended 39-count charge for conspiring and diverting N7.65 billion from the coffers of the state....