Why Olisa Metuh Was Handcuffed – NPS

The Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) yesterday explained why the embattled national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, was arraigned in court on Monday with handcuffs on his wrists.

It added that the development was put in place for security concerns along the route of movement and the court premises.

The spokesman of the NPS, Mr. Francis Enobore, disclosed this yesterday while reacting to the matter.

According to the NPS spokesman , it is in the interest of Metuh and Nigeria as a country that mechanical form of restraints are placed on the wrists of the PDP spokesman

Stressing that it was not out of place to have suspects to a crime to be handcuffed while being taken to court from the precinct of the prisons, the NPS spokesman said there are three key conditions that would warrant prisoners to be cuffed while being made to appear in court for trial.

He said, “The idea of handcuffing a criminal suspect from the prisons to court is a tradition that is as old as the prisons itself. The officer in charge of the prison doing the movement of the prisoner or the senior officer in the escort team studies the security situation and takes the most appropriate decision.

“Part of the factors usually considered include the disposition of the prisoner, security concerns along the route of movement, around the court premises, mode of the relations or friends of the inmate, the general security situation in the country, the intelligence available to the officer in -charge and host of others.

“The decision to use mechanical restraints is normally taken in the best interest of all parties concerned. Note that the primary responsibility of the prisons is safe custody of inmates at all times therefore, whether in the yard, on transit, in court or hospital, the officer under whose custody the inmate is kept is duty bound to ensure that security is not compromised.’’

 Action in order – Oshiomhole

Meanwhile, Edo State governor Adams Oshiomole has added his voice in support of the NPS’ argument that there was absolutely nothing wrong having Metuh handcuffed to answer to the charges of corruption levelled against him in relation to the $2.1 billion Arms fund theft.

Speaking during a meeting with the new Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, led by Sir Roland Osakwe in Benin City, yesterday, the Oshiomhole said those who are accused of stealing he-goats are handcuffed and paraded by the police and get no sympathy from the public, why then should Metuh and others who diverted huge public funds be treated with respect and sympathy.

He said, “I want to appeal to the Media to join President Buhari in fighting the anti-corruption war because if we don’t, and we allow these people to harass the President to silence, all of us are in trouble.

“I saw some headlines querying why should Metuh be in handcuffs. If people who steal he-goats, dried grass cutters are in handcuffs; I have been to the police station several times and I see young men who rob not more than N500,000 in handcuffs, they are paraded and made them to seat on the floor. Why should certain set of criminals be treated as if they are not suspected criminals and serious crimes at that?

“When you all reported lavishly how under the former President, the former Defense Chief set up a Military Tribunal to try soldiers who ran away from battle field and they were condemned to death. It was only Femi Falana who was consistent in fighting their case. Those are Nigerians who were to be killed for running away because they couldn’t confront a Boko Haram that was well armed while they were asked to go and fight with their bare hands and we were told that weapons, ammunitions and everything had been provided”.

“When Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, said, ‘Look, our Armed Forces are fighting with bare hands’, he was told to shut up. Now it is clear from current revelations that the money that would have been used to arm these young men who joined the army with pride and who on a good day have the courage to fight not only at home but abroad, but because they didn’t have arms, they ran away.”

They were sentenced to death. Thanks to Buhari, some have been commuted now to various terms of imprisonment which I applaud and I think even that one should further be reviewed, they should summit their uniform but remain free people.

source:LEADERSHIP news