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