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Gaius Ihejimaizu, a surety for the former governor of Abia
State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has asked a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, to
discharge him as he no longer has confidence in the former governor.

Mr Kalu is facing a 107-count charge of money-laundering,
brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the
misappropriation of N5 billion belonging to the Abia State government.

The surety was acting as a character reference as part of Mr
Kalu’s bail conditions. Mr Ihejiamaizu, a traditional ruler in the state, said
that he was no longer in contact with Mr Kalu and could not vouch for his
actions or whereabouts. “I no longer have confidence in the 1st accused person
and will not stand as surety for him anymore,” he said in a court statement.
“It would be in the interest of justice to discharge me as a surety to the 1st
accused person and return my said certificate of recognition to me.”

Mr Ihejiamaizu’s lawyer, Anthony Agbazure, told journalists in Abuja, that
his client wanted to be discharged from the burden of being his surety to the
former governor because he would be held liable if the governor elopes. The
court, presided by Adamu Bello, will decide whether to discharge Mr Ihejiamaizu
as surety on December 20, 2010.