I’m still in EFCC custody, says Anyim

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius
Anyim, says he is still the custody of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, contrary to the impression being created that he
has been released.

The EFCC arrested Anyim in connection with a sum of N520m, which
he allegedly collected from ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo
Dasuki, on the eve of the 2015 general election.

The EFCC said he is also investigating Anyim for alleged
contract scam of N13bn.

Sources in the EFC had reportedly said on Monday that the ex-SGF
had been released on bail after he submitted his passport to the
anti-graft agency.

But in a statement on Friday by his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome
(SAN), he denied having been freed, saying he was not allowed to go
despite the administrative bail.

In the said statement, titled, “Anyim is still in the EFCC
Gulag, kept under inhuman and degrading conditions,” Ozekhome said
the report of Anyim’s release was misleading.

He said, “The truth is that Anyim is still held in custody till
this minute, in spite of fulfilling administrative bail conditions
laid out for him, including deposit of his passport and being
compelled, under duress and undue influence, to sign all manners of
self-incriminating and property-stripping documents against his
will.

“In spite of these and the clear provisions of sections 35 and
36 of the Nigerian constitution and the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act, the EFCC has bluntly refused to release Anyim to go
and attend to his very poor health over which he was receiving
treatment before he was forcibly taken away from his role.”

Ozekhome called on the Attorney General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to prevail on the
EFCC to allow him to go immediately “since no charges have been
preferred against him and since he has fulfilled all administrative
bail conditions.”

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius
Anyim, says he is still the custody of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, contrary to the impression being created that he
has been released.

The EFCC arrested Anyim in connection with a sum of N520m, which
he allegedly collected from ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo
Dasuki, on the eve of the 2015 general election.

The EFCC said he is also investigating Anyim for alleged
contract scam of N13bn.

Sources in the EFC had reportedly said on Monday that the ex-SGF
had been released on bail after he submitted his passport to the
anti-graft agency.

But in a statement on Friday by his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome
(SAN), he denied having been freed, saying he was not allowed to go
despite the administrative bail.

In the said statement, titled, “Anyim is still in the EFCC
Gulag, kept under inhuman and degrading conditions,” Ozekhome said
the report of Anyim’s release was misleading.

He said, “The truth is that Anyim is still held in custody till
this minute, in spite of fulfilling administrative bail conditions
laid out for him, including deposit of his passport and being
compelled, under duress and undue influence, to sign all manners of
self-incriminating and property-stripping documents against his
will.

“In spite of these and the clear provisions of sections 35 and
36 of the Nigerian constitution and the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act, the EFCC has bluntly refused to release Anyim to go
and attend to his very poor health over which he was receiving
treatment before he was forcibly taken away from his role.”

Ozekhome called on the Attorney General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), to prevail on the
EFCC to allow him to go immediately “since no charges have been
preferred against him and since he has fulfilled all administrative
bail conditions.”