The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Monday disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is yet to invite him for questioning, adding that he was only being tried in the media.
EFCC is said to be investigating Metuh for allegedly collecting about N400m from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.) which was said to be part of the funds meant for the procurement of arms for the military’s fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.
Metuh, who agreed to collecting an undisclosed sum of money from former President Goodluck Jonathan, claimed that the undisclosed sum he got from Jonathan was as a result of carrying out unspecific work as the ruling party’s spokesperson under the then government.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Richard Ihediwa, in Abuja on Monday, Metu said rather than being invited by the anti-graft agency, he has been reading in the newspapers about the alleged crime he was being investigated for.
He then wondered why he would be reading about his impending questioning on the pages of newspapers.
The statement reads, “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 (about his investigation) 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 anyway whatsoever translate to any evidence of guilt.
“It is rather an evidence of infringement on the rights of the citizenry and manifestation of the reign of tyranny.”
The PDP National Publicity Secretary observed that in a democratic and civilized country where there are issues that require investigations by such agencies, invitations are duly extended to those concerned.
Noting that it was sad to read of people being investigated in select newspapers on a daily basis, he stated that it was a grand ploy to portray the PDP as a corrupt party and the All Progressives Congress, APC, as party of Nigerians without sin.
“If we now have a system where citizens get to be investigated, tried and executed by planting stories in select newspapers, wherein then lies the need for our judicial process?
“Finally, we do hope that all concerned will be guided by due process at all times,” Metuh said.
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