arms-deal-pdp-spokesman-metuh-tears-statement-shreds
The troubled national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has compounded his problems by tearing to shreds the statement he made at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday. Metuh has been in the custody of the Commission for allegedly receiving N400 million through a company he has interest in and receiving some monthly allocation from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Apparently distraught that his hunger strike stunt has not softened the resolve of EFCC to keep him in custody pending arraignment in court for act of thievery running into millions of naira, Metuh reportedly seized and tore to shreds copies of statement he had voluntarily made to the Commission. The suspect, competent sources disclosed, was presented with copies of his statement to endorse by the investigating officer but rather than sign the document, Metuh, apparently realising the weight of his confession, seized the documents and proceeded to tear them. Metuh was said to be contemplating stuffing the papers into his mouth in a bid to swallow them when he was stopped by operatives who managed to recover the torn pieces of paper from the PDP spokesman. A source said Metuh’s action – trying to destroy a major evidence in the case – was an offence which could attract a separate charge in court. “The tearing of statement is tantamount to wilful destruction of government property and it is a serious offence. Also the fact that he obstructed operatives from performing their job is also a criminal offence. “Will explore the possibility of filing a separate charge against him at the Federal Capital Territory High Court,” the source said, Take Metuh to court or release him in 48 hours, PDP reps tell EFCC The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the EFCC to charge the party’s national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, to court or release him from detention. The PDP lawmakers also condemned the continued detention of Metuh, adding that much as they would not endorse corruption, there was however the need to ensure due process by the EFCC. Addressing journalists in Abuja, House minority leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, accused the anti-graft agency of bias and preferential treatment in the ongoing fight against corruption, saying that it cannot be “different strokes for different folks.” He explained that their grouse with the EFCC style was that Metuh has been held for about 10 days and is not being charged to any competent court of law as stipulated by the Constitution. “We want to lay emphasis on due process; we are not in support of corrupt attitude or actions. I will lay emphasis on due process and the rule of law and the issue here again is the arrest of the voice of the PDP, who is Chief Olisa Metuh. “As a House, we condemn it totally and we insist that, within the next 48 hours, Olisa Metuh should be given administrative bail or be taken before a competent court of jurisdiction where he can be tried and, if pronounced guilty, be made to face the consequence. “The action of the EFCC as it stands today negates the principle of the laws that run the commission. It offends the fundamental rights of Olisa Metuh; it is more like pronouncing him guilty before he is put forward for trial.
The troubled national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has compounded his problems by tearing to shreds the statement he made at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday. Metuh has been in the custody of the Commission for allegedly receiving N400 million through a company he has interest in and receiving some monthly allocation from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Apparently distraught that his hunger strike stunt has not softened the resolve of EFCC to keep him in custody pending arraignment in court for act of thievery running into millions of naira, Metuh reportedly seized and tore to shreds copies of statement he had voluntarily made to the Commission. The suspect, competent sources disclosed, was presented with copies of his statement to endorse by the investigating officer but rather than sign the document, Metuh, apparently realising the weight of his confession, seized the documents and proceeded to tear them. Metuh was said to be contemplating stuffing the papers into his mouth in a bid to swallow them when he was stopped by operatives who managed to recover the torn pieces of paper from the PDP spokesman. A source said Metuh’s action – trying to destroy a major evidence in the case – was an offence which could attract a separate charge in court. “The tearing of statement is tantamount to wilful destruction of government property and it is a serious offence. Also the fact that he obstructed operatives from performing their job is also a criminal offence. “Will explore the possibility of filing a separate charge against him at the Federal Capital Territory High Court,” the source said, Take Metuh to court or release him in 48 hours, PDP reps tell EFCC The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the EFCC to charge the party’s national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, to court or release him from detention. The PDP lawmakers also condemned the continued detention of Metuh, adding that much as they would not endorse corruption, there was however the need to ensure due process by the EFCC. Addressing journalists in Abuja, House minority leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, accused the anti-graft agency of bias and preferential treatment in the ongoing fight against corruption, saying that it cannot be “different strokes for different folks.” He explained that their grouse with the EFCC style was that Metuh has been held for about 10 days and is not being charged to any competent court of law as stipulated by the Constitution. “We want to lay emphasis on due process; we are not in support of corrupt attitude or actions. I will lay emphasis on due process and the rule of law and the issue here again is the arrest of the voice of the PDP, who is Chief Olisa Metuh. “As a House, we condemn it totally and we insist that, within the next 48 hours, Olisa Metuh should be given administrative bail or be taken before a competent court of jurisdiction where he can be tried and, if pronounced guilty, be made to face the consequence. “The action of the EFCC as it stands today negates the principle of the laws that run the commission. It offends the fundamental rights of Olisa Metuh; it is more like pronouncing him guilty before he is put forward for trial.
0 Response to "NEWS: Arms Deal PDP Spokesman Metuh Tears Statement Shreds "
Post a Comment