The Lagos State chapter
of the Peoples Democratic Party has asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice
Mahmud Mohammed, to look into the continuous refusal of bail to the party’s
national spokesperson, Chief Olisa Metuh.
Metuh , who is
currently on trial for allegedly collecting N400m from the office of the
National Security Adviser, had been appealing to the court in order for him to
travel abroad for medical treatment.
The PDP said in the
spirit of democracy and freedom, Metuh should be allowed to enjoy his
fundamental human rights.
Appealing to the CJN in
a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Gani Taofik, the PDP asked
Mohammed to give his opinion on the denial of the request by Metuh.
The party said in view
of Metuh’s family ties to the country, he would not run away in order to evade
trial.
The PDP said, “We ask
the state not to take the ordinary prosecution to be a persecution as the whole
efforts would be defeated if, God forbid, the defendant becomes permanently
incapacitated due to lack of medical care for his peculiar ailments.
“He (Metuh) has
survived several attacks and we think that this prosecution should not turn
into persecution. We are of the belief that it is not the wish of the judicial
system that a defendant dies or is permanently incapacitated during trial in
circumstances that are ordinarily avoidable. Olisa Metuh is a lawyer and is
aware of the implication of jumping bail. He is not likely to jump bail. We
appeal that justice should be tempered with mercy as this is very appropriate
in this circumstance.
“For the Federal
Government not to kill the opposition, this (May 29) celebration is an
auspicious moment to allow Metuh enjoy medical care in any place of his choice.
This is a strong appeal to the conscience of the trial judge, the prosecutor
and, indeed, the Chief justice of Nigeria to have a second consideration for
the full bail of Chief Metuh, who is obviously very ill and unable to continue
the rigours of the trials.”
-Punch
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