Senator representing Borno South senatorial district and Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume has explained why he offered to stand as surety for the former Chairman of Pension Reforms Task Team (PRTT), Abdul-Rasheed Maina.
Counsel to Maina, Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), had on Tuesday before Justice Okon Abang in the ongoing trial of Maina for alleged money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) disclosed Senator Ndume intention.
Maina was arraigned last October on a 12-count money laundering charge filed by the anti-graft commission.
Senator Ndume in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday said he was worried by the deteriorating health of Maina whose offence, he noted was bailable.
His statement read in part: “It took me over six months to agree to be his surety. First, the bail condition requires a serving Senator and I happen to be the one.
“Second, his health condition is deteriorating and needs special medical attention.
Third his offence is bailable and lastly I am not saying the court should discharge and acquit him. If he is guilty, he will be sentenced.
“It was a hard decision I had to make. I have a duty to represent the good, the bad and the ugly of Borno South. May Allah guide us to the right path. Ameen.1
