Ebonyi Commissioner, Anyim’s Surety Dumps Him.
The man identified as Ekumankama Nkama standing as surety for the former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, has withdrawn.
Nkama wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on his decision to withdraw as the surety of Anyim.
Anyim, the former senate president, is under investigation by the EFCC for reportedly using firms in which he had interest to award contracts to the tune of N13 billion from the Ecological Fund Account domiciled in his office.
He was arrested in November 2017 and later granted bail, with Nkama standing as his surety.
But the commissioner said that recent events have compelled him to withdraw as surety to Anyim, citing the case of Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, and Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).
Maina is being prosecuted by the EFCC for alleged money laundering to the tune of N2 billion.
Ndume had agreed to stand as surety for Maina who is facing trial on 12 counts of alleged money laundering, a decision he would later regret.
One of the terms of the bail is for the senator to accompany the defendant to court on every date fixed for trial.
He also cited “recent events” in his state as reason for his decision.
“I, Ekumankama, Joseph Nkama, commissioner of investment & Abuja liaison, Ebonyi state government, wish to formally withdraw as surety for his Excellency, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim,” Nkama wrote.
“You may recall, sir, that senator Anyim Pius Anyim was detained while under investigation and when granted bail conditions by commission, I availed myself as his surety knowing fully well the adverse effect his action and inaction could impose on my constitutional rights should he decide to act in a manner devoid of the expectations of him by the commission.
“Sir, I regret to inform you that recent events in the last two weeks in my state has given me food for thought and my conscience could no longer allow me to continue to stand as a surety for senator Pius Anyim.
“I have also considered the recent event involving Senator Ali Ndume and Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, former chairman of the defunct pension reform task team, I am most particularly convinced that my decision to withdraw as surety will best grant me the needed peace to function effectively in all responsibilities demanded of me.”
