My EFCC Story – Anyim

By Gideon Njoku

Contrary to the story which made the rounds that former Senate President, Antimony Pius Anyim was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissioner, EFCC, he was never arrested by the Commission. He was not even invited by the Commission.

Anyim, who was also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, under the President Goodluck Jonathan Government, went to the EFCC on his own volition.

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, the news had made the rounds that Anyim had been arrested by the EFCC over an allegation of funds to the tune of N780m, in connection with an investigation being carried out on Senator Stella Oduah when she was the Minister for Aviation.

In a release to clarify issues signed by his Media Adviser,  Sam Nwaobasi, Anyim, on his own, put a call across to the EFCC officer in charge of the case when he heard that his name had been mentioned in a case. The Officer was happy that Anyim made the contact on his own. They agreed that Anyim come in by 3pm on Sunday. He did. But was surprised that after he had made the clarifications, he was told he couldn’t leave.

On Monday, he was told his leaving would follow some processes. The processes were quickly made and fulfilled but he was still kept till Tuesday afternoon before he was eventually allowed to go home.

Anyim decried how his encounter with the EFCC was presented to the public in some sections of the media to smear his name and lower his integrity before the public. He, however, said that inspite of the blackmail, he is ever ready to contribute his quota for the unity and progress of Nigeria.

He expressed his appreciation to friends and associates, the general public,  and especially, members of the PDP who rallied round him.

Following is the text of the statement titled: Senator Anyim Pius Anyim’s Visit To The EFCC

“We have been inundated with inquiries from friends, associates, PDP faithfuls and the general public with regard to media reports since Sunday the 24th of October 202q,  on Senator Anyim’s detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which according to the reports “was part of investigation in a case of an alleged  corruption and diversion of public funds.” It has, therefore, become necessary to put the record straight on what went on between Sunday, the 24th to Tuesday, the 26th of October as follows:

“Senator Anyim got information that some person invited by the EFCC, in connection with some matter it was investigating mentioned his name in the statement made to the EFCC. Determined, as always, to ensure that the truth prevails, Senator Anyim reached out to the officer handling the matter, and offered, on his own volition, to come over to the EFCC to clarify any issues around which his name was mentioned. The officer was delighted, and they agreed to meet in his office at the EFCC by 3pm on Sunday, the 24th of October, 2021.

“At the agreed time, Senator  Anyim arrived at the EFCC office. He was never invited by the EFCC. After his engagement during which Senator Anyim was as candid as could be, to his utter surprise, he was told he would not be going home  that day. By the next day, the EFCC gave the conditions for his release which were met promptly. It took upto Tuesday, the 26th for the EFCC to complete the processes after which he was allowed to go home.

“Senator Anyim, as a law abiding citizen, will always submit himself to any process required by any agency of the government in the discharge of its duties. Senator Anyim, though not disturbed or worried by his encounter with the EFCC, after all, he went to their office by himself, has however noted some reports in some social media platforms that deliberately distorted the facts just to call his integrity  to question.

“Senator Anyim remains steadfast in his commitment to join hands with men and women of goodwill to unite, heal and advance the cause of our dear country, Nigeria, and will continue to offer himself and services to the pursuit of same, notwithstanding the blackmail, falsehood and misinformation and misrepresentations that some opportunists will seek to make out of such episodes like his recent encounter  with the EFCC.

“He believes that together, we shall all build a better Nigeria.”