Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that it will not provide sureties for its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.

The party said since Metuh was being prosecuted for offences that have nothing to do with it, its embattled spokesperson should look for those who would stand as sureties for him.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo, told our correspondent in an interview on Friday in Abuja that it would be wrong for anyone to be expecting the party to provide sureties for Metuh when the party did not benefit from the money he allegedly collected from the former National Security Adviser, Lt Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.).

Metuh is facing charges for allegedly collecting N400m from Dasuki, an offence the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission described as money laundering.

Though Metuh said he actually collected the money, he said it was for a job he did for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Metuh has, however, remained silent on the type of job he allegedly did for the former President.

He is also being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly tearing the statement he made to the commission while under interrogation.

The PDP spokesperson has denied both offences, and he is currently being remanded in Kuje Prisons, Abuja, by two different courts pending the time he would meet the bail conditions.

There were anxieties on how he would meet the conditions in order to ease his release from the prisons.

Jalo, however, said the party would not be involved in the search for the sureties.

He said, “Metuh didn’t represent the party in the alleged crimes he’s being prosecuted. The party didn’t benefit from the alleged crime.

“So, he is going to look for sureties himself. We won’t be involved. He would carry his own cross alone, without the party being involved.”

However, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Mr. Victor Kwon, said friends and associates Metuh were “doing everything possible to get the sureties” as demanded by the courts.

chukwudi44:
Jalo does not speak for the PDP.The views expressed are are solely his own and not that of the PDP only the national publicity secretary or the National chairman can speak for the party.

https://www.nairaland.com/2861561/pdp-disowns-jalo-denies-asking

175:
PMB is just hiding his pretty wife from ME. I
want to see and hear her talk on tv. I have seen
worse First Ladies before and nothing happened.

PMB, don't be selective, show ME ur wife or wat
happened in 175 BC will happen again.

U can silence Olisah Metuh but not me. Period!

chukwudi44:
Jalo does not speak for the PDP.The views expressed are are solely his own and not that of the PDP only the national publicity secretary or the National chairman can speak for the party.

https://www.nairaland.com/2861561/pdp-disowns-jalo-denies-asking

modath:


I trust you, you are totally predictable!

Greatest ally of corrupt practices & tribalist emeritus.

I hope you realize this Jalo man is the Dep Pub sec? & can speak for the party!!
So you believe any of the party members who isn't his personal friend will stick out their necks? & be aware that he needs 4 different sureties & politicians are only friends when interests are being served...

Nurse will talk eventually, {he thought emotional blackmail & cry of selective justice will work but sadly it is not a defense under the law..} he is just playing for time.

eyesofgod:


In the absence of both officers, Secretary and Chairman, who should then speaks for the party?

chukwudi44:

Is the national chairman unavailable?

lalasticlala,come see metuhsela don enter battle of sureties wit his party

eyesofgod:

O boy, maintain lane, abeg.

The national leadership of the party wishes to clarify that Jalo is not a member of the National Working Committee and does not have the mandate of the party to speak on its behalf on any matter whatsoever. Under our constitution, only the National Chairman and the National Publicity Secretary or any body so designated by the National Chairman or the National Working Committee speaks for the party. Jalo, clearly does not have this mandate and could not have been speaking for our party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the official position of our great party remains that our spokesman should be released or charged to court as he remains innocent until proven otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction, in line with the provisions of our constitution and the laws of Nigeria.
“The PDP is therefore resolute in challenging the continued detention of our spokesman for a week now, beyond the limits provided by the laws in violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights as a citizen. We are solidly behind our spokesman in the demand for the enforcement of his rights and liberty. Our demand that he is immediately released or charge to court has not changed.
“Chief Olisa Metuh has the right under the law to his statement and the onus lies on the investigating agency to charge him to court and not to arrogate itself the duties of the judiciary.
“The PDP has expressly explained in various statements and press conferences that it is not in any way against fighting corruption provided it is done within the confines of rule of law and respect for the fundamental Human rights of citizens.
“We also wish to reiterate our stand that President Buhari-led Federal Government has turned the anti- corruption fight as a witch-hunt on PDP leaders, with a view to decimating the party and installing its desired one party state in the country.
“All lovers of democracy, including the international community should take critical look at the various breaches of this administration and the threat it brings to civil liberty and national stability and rein in this government to respect the values of democracy.