Metuh Drags EFCC To Court, stated that his continued detention was illegal

Cat:

Related stories

US drillers cut oil and gas rigs for 10th week in a row, Baker Hughes says

U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of...

Tinubu Mourns, Pays Tribute to Legendary Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter Rufai

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound...

Natasha vs Akpabio: Court Orders Senate President To Recall Senator Natasha

Warns Natasha Against inappropriate Conduct By Abiola Olawale The Federal...

Hadi Sirika Denies Defection to ADC Coalition Rumors, Reaffirms Loyalty to Buhari, APC

By Abiola Olawale Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has...

Detained spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order his release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The EFCC is said to have obtained an order from a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse II, Abuja, to detain Metuh, who was arrested in connection with about N1.4bn “suspicious” funds in the account of a company in which he has a substantial interest. The commission explained that it sought an order to remand Metuh because some of his accomplices are at large.

About N400m allegedly meant for arms purchase by the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), was purportedly paid into the account of Destra Investment Limited where Metuh reportedly have a high stake.

But in a suit, numbered FHC/L/CS/21/2016, filed through activist-lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the opposition party’s mouthpiece claimed that his family, lawyers and doctors were denied access to him.

He sued the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN, contending that under section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, the anti-graft agency has exceeded the maximum time allowed by law for a citizen to be detained without trial.

Adegboruwa, who personally deposed to an affidavit of urgency in support of Metuh’s suit, alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had since coming into power launched “a massive attack upon the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, in the guise of fighting a nebulous anti-corruption war.” The lawyer further claimed that the President had upon taking office reorganised the EFCC to hound the opposition.

Expressing fear that his client was being kept under untidy or unhygienic conditions which might have effect on his health, Adegboruwa argued that Metuh’s continued detention was a breach to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

His words, “I verily believe that the applicant has not committed any offence other than his principled opposition to the ruling government and his arrest and detention are meant to silence the opposition and create a one-party state by the respondents to allow the APC to dominate Nigeria.

“Nobody knows the present whereabouts of the applicant, as to his exact place of detention, his condition in the custody and how he is faring. Recently, detainees in the custody of the 1st respondent have been dying due to lack of proper care and adequate medical facilities, as the 1st respondent is not normally well-funded to function effectively, except to be used by the ruling government to hound the opposition.”

Metuh, through Adegboruwa, sought a declaration that his detention by the EFCC without access to his family and lawyer, and without being charged to court, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed under sections 33, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution. He also sought a declaration that his arrest on January 5 constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights and is ultra vires, null and void and unconstitutional.

Culled From The Will
Culled From The Will
Hamilton Nwosa is an experienced, and committed communication, business, administrative, data and research specialist . His deep knowledge of the intersection between communication, business, data, and journalism are quite profound. His passion for professional excellence remains the guiding principle of his work, and in the course of his career spanning sectors such as administration, tourism, business management, communication and journalism, Hamilton has won key awards. He is a delightful writer, researcher and data analyst. He loves team-work, problem-solving, organizational management, communication strategy, and enjoys travelling. He can be reached at: hamilton_68@yahoo.com

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
US drillers cut oil and gas rigs for 10th week in a row, Baker Hughes saysExclusive! Tinubu Tips Late Ajimobi's Wife, Florence, Others for Ambassadorial PostsTinubu Mourns, Pays Tribute to Legendary Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter RufaiNatasha vs Akpabio: Court Orders Senate President To Recall Senator NatashaHadi Sirika Denies Defection to ADC Coalition Rumors, Reaffirms Loyalty to Buhari, APCChina Snubs U.S. Crude for Third Month, Even as Ethane Trade RestartsHow Super Eagles Icon Peter Rufai passed Away at 61Dakuku Peterside’s Beneath the Surface Book Out in OctoberOil Prices Dip on Confirmation of Inventory BuildBuhari In Stable Condition - Ex-Aide ConfirmsBREAKING: Ex-President Buhari sick, hospitalised abroad2027: Abure, Usman Clash Over Peter Obi’s Rising Profile in ADC CoalitionMTN’s Dabengwa Tier III Cloud Data Centre: A New Era for West African Tech and AIGanduje: Why are they resigning?OPEC Reports a Global Oil Production Decline in 2024
X whatsapp