PDP publicity secretary Olisa Metuh denies being quizzed or invited for questioning by EFCC

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) publicity secretary Chief Olisa Metuh has denied being questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his role in the ongoing Dasukigate arms corruption scandal.

 

Over recent weeks, anti-graft investigators have been questioning several leading PDP members over a $2.2bn scandal in which money meant for the Nigerian military was distributed among prominent members of former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan's government and party. Several leading PDP officials who received cash from former national security adviser Col Sambo Dasuki have been questioned by the EFCC over the scandal.

 

It was reported yesterday that Chief Metuh was the latest party official to be invited for questioning but he has vehemently denied the claim. Chief Metuh’s spokesman Richard Ihediwa, debunked the reports, adding that his boss was not invited nor questioned by the EFCC on any matter whatsoever since its inception.

 

Mr Ihediwa added: “The attention of the office of the national publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, has been drawn to a report in the January 4, 2016, edition of The Nation newspaper, suggesting he is under investigation by the EFCC. This office wishes to state categorically that the EFCC has never invited the national publicity secretary nor questioned him on any matter whatsoever since its inception.

 

“If indeed, the report is from the EFCC, then they should note that only in a period of tyranny are people investigated on the pages of the newspapers as a prelude for abuse and violation of their freedom and rights under the law. It is instructive to observe that a mere media campaign of calumny does not in any way whatsoever translate to any evidence of guilt and it is rather evidence of infringement on the rights of the citizenry and manifestation of the reign of tyranny."

 

According to Mr Ihediwa, in a democratic and civilised country where there are issues that require investigations by such agencies, invitations are duly extended. He added that, however, to read daily of people being investigated in select newspapers betrays plots to portray them as guilty of fraud and crimes.

 

He pointed out that it appears there is a ploy to convey the PDP as a corrupt party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as party of Nigerians without sin. Mr Ihediwa said Chief Metuh expressed the hope that the EFCC will be guided by due process at all times.