Nigeria, Dec. 8 -- The Senate has said it will not declare the seat of its convicted chief whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, vacant.

The Senate spokesperson, Godiya Akwashiki, disclosed this to Punch Newspaper.

Such a declaration, he said, is against the law.

The lawmaker said no provision in the Nigerian Constitution says the seat of a senator facing prosecution or convicted at a lower court should be declared vacant.

The trial/conviction

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced Mr Kalu to 12 years in prison after convicting him of N7.65 billion fraud.

Mr Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, was pronounced guilty of the charge in a trial that lasted for 12 years.

The ex-governor was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes...