http://nigerianobservernews.com/27112010/weekendobserver/news/9.html

ABUJA- Sen. Uche Chukwumerije and a traditional ruler, Eze Gaius Ihejiamaizu has asked an Abuja Federal High Court, to discharge them as sureties to former Abia governor, Orji Uzor Kalu.

Ihejiamaizu, the traditional ruler of Umuojioma-Ukwu village, in Isiala Ngwa Local Government of the state, in his affidavit said that “sometime in July 2007 I stood as surety to the 1st accused person Kalu in this charge.

“That part of the bail condition included the deposit of my certificate of recognition as a traditional ruler (Eze) in Abia State issued on Nov. 16, 1998 by the state government and I entered as surety to the accused person because of the confidence I had in him then” he said.

He further deposed that “I no longer have confidence in the 1st accused person and will not stand as surety for him anymore.

That for now, the 1st accused and myself have not been associating with each other and I can no longer vouch for him being unaware of his movements and action

“That 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,” he added.

His counsel, Anthony Agbazure also told newsmen that his client had discharged his burden as a law abiding citizen by coming to the court to say that he no longer has confidence in the former governor.

“We have brought to the notice of the court that my client should be discharged from the burden of being his surety because if the accused elopes, my client would not be held liable,’’ Abgazure said.

Counsel to Kalu, Mr. Solomon Akuma (SAN) had opposed the appearance of Agbazure as counsel to the royal father as, according to him “we want to raise an objection to the appearance of Agabzure in this matter as he is a serving commissioner in the full employment of the Abia State Government.