Witch-hunt: Jafaru Isa's Release Vindicates Us– PDP

…Says EFCC Compromised

The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) says the release of the associate of
President Muhammadu Buhari and APC chieftain, Brig. General Jafaru Isa
(retired) by the EFCC barely eight hours after arrest while its
spokesman Chief Olisa Metuh remains detained and without being charged
to court since last Tuesday, vindicates its position that this Federal
Government is not fighting corruption but on a clamp-down mission on PDP
leaders.

The party said that its spokesman, who was arrested without invitation
by the anti graft agency has remained incarcerated since Tuesday while
the APC chieftain who even disregarded the commission's invitation and
had to be arrested was quickly released after the EFCC boss meeting at
the Presidential villa.

The PDP in a statement signed by the National Legal Adviser, Barr Victor
Kwon on Sunday said there can be no clearer indication that the APC-led
administration is on a man-hunt against PDP leaders, and that it has a
personal grudge against Chief Metuh, ostensibly for his stance as
opposition spokesman, particularly his recent exchange with the
government and the APC over their dictatorial activities.


The party queried the action of the EFCC in freeing Brig. General Jafaru
Isa, eight hours after his arrest last Wednesday night while Chief Metuh
is still being detained even when the two are being investigated over
same allegation of receiving funds from the office of the National
Security Adviser.

“The release of Jafaru Isa, a known associate of the President and
chieftain of the APC eight hours after his arrest while our spokesman
remains in detention even when the two are being investigated over same
allegation, clearly shows that the President Buhari-led APC government
is not fighting corruption but using the much hyped crusade as a cover
to persecute PDP leaders and decimate the opposition, a project the EFCC
has clearly yielded itself as a willing tool.

“We have information of the marching order from the Presidency for the
immediate release of the President’s associate and that his issue is one
of the major part reasons for the repeated visits of the EFCC Chairman
to the Presidential villa within the period of his arrest. Of course,
there is nothing hidden under the sun.

“We ask, how can the EFCC now explain to the world that it is not
corrupt and teleguided by the Federal Government to persecute PDP
leaders?  What happened to the illegal holding charge upon which it has
detained the PDP spokesman beyond the limit stipulated by section 35(5a)
of the constitution and in violation of his guaranteed personal liberty
under the law?

“Are there now two separate sets of laws; one for PDP leaders and
perceived foes of the President Buhari-led government which allows them
to be detained beyond constitutional limits without being charged to
court and another set, for associates of the President associates and
APC leaders, which guarantees them a slap in the back and immunity from
investigation and prosecution, and if arrested, an immediate release?

“Is it really true that the fund Jafaru Isa was alleged to have received
from the former NSA was traced near the corridors of those who today
bestride power in the country? Furthermore, can the Federal Government
and the APC now in all honesty face the world and announce that this
administration is indeed waging war against corruption?

“Can the EFCC explain what has happened to several petitions by
Nigerians on corruption issues against many APC leaders including those
who as former governor looted funds belonging to their state? Are they
now under immunity for the fact that they are in the APC and that most
of the funds they looted where used to finance APC’s Presidential
campaign?

“While we reiterate our support for any effort aimed eradicating
corruption in our nation we stand our ground in demanding that the fight
must be holistic, credible, within the limits provided by the laws
irrespective of political affiliations.

“The PDP therefore restates its demand that the EFCC immediately
releases its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh or charge him to court if they
have any case against him.  His continued detention without being
charged to court is only indicative of the fact that the commission has
not been able convince itself of enough evidence of guilt and is now
lending itself as a willing instrument of persecution against Chief
Metuh.

"The public will recall that the PDP is not given to frivolous claims as
evidenced in many instances including our alert last year of a meeting
between the Presidency, the then newly appointed INEC Chairman and top
security officers just before the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship
elections.

“Finally, we state with every sense of responsibility that now that it
is clear, with the release of Jafaru Isa eight hours after his arrest,
that the continued detention of our spokesman is politically motivated,
this party can no longer guarantee that it can rein in its members and
supporters who have been exercising restrain since this particular
arrest by the EFCC.

Nigeria belongs to all of us and the laws are made for all of us and
must be applied on its values and spirit without political
considerations.

Signed:

Barr. Victor Kwon
National Legal Adviser