Lawmakers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
in the House of Representatives have ordered the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release of the party spokesman, Olisa Metuh
within 48 hours.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, January 12, the House
majority leader, Leo Ogor who alleged the anti-graft agency of being “preferential” in the exercise of its duties however noted that it was “unconstitutional to detain anyone who has not been charged for a crime by a competent court of jurisdiction.”
He said: “As a House we condemn it totally and we insist that within the next 48hours Olisa Metuh should be given administrative bail or be taken before a competent law 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.
“On this same issue that borders on the transfer of funds, who was also arrested on the same subject matter, Isa Jafaru was detained by the EFCC and in less than 8 hours was given administrative bail after the chairman of the EFCC visited Aso Rock.
“We are not saying that somebody is guilty but it Is not in our position, and I repeat not in the position of any other person by a competent jurisdiction to pronounce anybody guilty,” he added.
The PDP spokesman, Olisah Metuh was arrested by the EFCC on Tuesday, January 5, following allegations of his involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal scam.
