EFCC Persecuting Me, Olisa Metuh Cries Out

Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh, has cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to stop political persecution and concentrate on the statutory role it was established to do.

Mr Metuh stated this in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Mr Ebiloma Abdullahi, while reacting to another suit allegedly filed against him by the anti-graft agency.

He reminded the EFCC that the Court of Appeal had in December 2020 dismissed Justice Okon Abang’s judgement against Chief Metuh on grounds of manifest bias.

Metuh said, “Nothing exposes the desperation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a mere political weapon designed to use media trial and judicial harassment against certain individuals than this campaign to intimidate and detract Chief Metuh from active participation in politics.

“For the records, the Court of Appeal has in December 2020 dismissed Justice Okon Abang’s judgement against Chief Metuh on grounds of manifest bias.

“Thereafter Chief Metuh’s lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court for a discharge and acquittal on the merits of the case. This they did, notwithstanding that his earlier appeal at the Supreme Court for a no-case submission has still not been heard.”

Metuh said it is trite law that no prosecution can ever be done “while the appeal at this stage at the Supreme Court has not been heard and decided. Why then the drama and the widely publicised media trial of an arraignment? Is any person afraid of Chief Metuh’s famed strategic and tactical political prowess? Who exactly is using the EFCC at this time?

“Whilst we await the 30th of May, 2022 to see the manifestation of this attempt to rewrite our Constitution, we advise the EFCC to focus on the monumental corruption going on in this government.”

Metuh urged the EFCC to ” leave political persecution and face the serious work of fighting against financial crimes.”