Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House of Representatives yesterday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release the party’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh, detained since last Tuesday.

The anti-graft agency accused Metuh of receiving N400 million from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.). But speaking with the Association of Online Publishers in Lagos, EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, said Metuh hadn’t been released because he refused to refund the money traced to his company.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the PDP caucus leader, Leo Ogor, said it was illegal to detain Metuh beyond the allowed 48 hours.

Ogor, who doubles as the House Minority Leader, insisted that Metuh be released as the offence he was being accused of “is not treasonable felony and he is entitled to bail”.

The lawmaker, while demanding that EFCC follows due process, noted that Metuh’s continued detention amounted to the infringement of his rights, challenging the EFCC to charge PDP spokesman to court if it had enough evidence to do so.

Ogor, who stressed that the PDP caucus in the House was not against the agency carrying out its duties, however, said Metuh’s travails is not unconnected to his role as the spokesman of the main opposition.

He wondered why Brig. Gen. Jafaru Isa said to be an associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, who allegedly also received N170 million from Dasuki has been released while Metuh remained in EFCC custody.

He said: “On this same issue that borders on the transfer of funds, Isa, who was also arrested on the same subject matter and detained by the EFCC and in less than eight hours was given administrative bail after Magu visited Aso Rock.

“That gives room for some level of preferential treatment or this stipulates some level of political witch hunt, a scenario or situation where we must all be equal before the law, it cannot be different strokes for different folks,” Ogor said. (Daily Sun)

•Photo shows Olisa Metuh.

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