Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume has revealed the reason he agreed to stand as surety for a former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.
During the resumed hearing of his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, Maina, through his lawyer, Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), told the court that Senator Ndume had agreed to stand as surety for the bail granted him by the court.
Ndume (APC-Borno South) was not present at the Tuesday’s proceedings, but Maina who was produced in court by prison officials appeared on crutches.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, Ndume said he agreed to be Maina’s surety as part of the cross he had to carry as Maina’s elected senator.
Ndume said he took the decision to enable Maina to attend to his deplorable health condition which required urgent medical attention.
The statement read, “It took me over six months to agree to be his surety. First, the bail condition requires a serving Senator and I happened 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 (found) 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. Amen.”
