EFCC gives reasons for politician’s continued detention

ben adhoc

January 12, 2016 5:01 PM

The statement said that Metuh’s continued detention was due to his refusal to refund or sign an undertaking to refund the N1.2 billion linked to him in the arms scandal.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given reasons for its continued detention of Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP National Publicity Secretary.

The EFCC spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, gave the reasons in a statement he issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

It said that the publicity secretary would be released as soon as he satisfied the bail conditions, making reference to the case of APC Chieftain Jafaru Isa.

Uwujaren’s statement also faulted the claim by the PDP that Metuh’s detention was illegal as indicated in a statement by the National Legal Adviser of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Victor Kwon.

"The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a statement by the National Legal Adviser of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Victor Kwon.

"The statement has alleged compromise and witch-hunt in the release of a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Brig.-Gen. Jafaru Isa, (rtd) by the EFCC.

"While the EFCC will not wish to join issues with Kwon, it is important that the public is presented with the facts regarding the release of Isa.”

The statement said the APC chieftain was arrested for his involvement in the arms procurement scam to the tune of N170 million.

According to the statement, upon his arrest, Isa admitted receiving the money from Dasuki and immediately refunded N100 million with an undertaking to refund the balance in two weeks.

"The reasons above and the fact that his health deteriorated after being admitted to custody prompted the commission to offer the suspect bail.

"The bail granted the suspect by the commission does not amount to his exoneration in the case,” the statement added.

It said that the commission would not be intimidated by the campaign of calumny intended to distract it.

ben adhoc