ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Obi-Ezeani-Nnewi family of Chief Olisa Metuh, national publicity secretary of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concern over the continued detention without trial of the spokesperson of the opposition party since his arrest on Tuesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The family called on the authorities to release him or alternatively charge him to court without delay.
In a statement signed by Chief Gilbert Metuh on behalf of the family and sent to Sundiata Post, Metuh’s kinsemen said whereas the charges for which Metuh is being held have not been made public, there have been sensational publications in the media regarding why he was being detained.
The statement reads: “Whereas the charges for which Chief Metuh is being detained for over 48 hours now have not been formally made known to the family and the general public, we have noted some sensational publications in a section of the media claiming that our son collected the sum of N1.4 billion from the arms deal cash and has been collecting N4 million monthly as from the Office of the former National Security Adviser.
“We have confronted our son with these allegations and he assured us that they are completely false.
“However, he acknowledged that in the course of his duties as the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, the then leader of the party and President of the country directed him to carry out some urgent national assignment relating to his office, which the former President duly funded and which he duly carried out to the satisfaction of the former President.
“The family therefore views the publications bandying the figure of N1.4 billion and alleged collection of N4 million stipend from the Office of the NSA as deliberate blackmail aimed at inflaming public sentiments against our son.
“Our biggest concern for now is the health and safety of our son, who even before his arrest has alerted the nation about various threats to his life, a stance that is not unconnected to his position as the spokesperson of the opposition. Our position is more so as he has refused to eat following fears of intentions to poison him in detention.
“In view of the above therefore, we DEMAND that the EFCC immediately release our son, Chief Metuh (Ugochidebelu Nnewi) from detention or charge him to court.”