The
immediate family of the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh has flayed the Federal Government
over its refusal to accept refund of the N400 million paid into the account of
Chief Olisa Metuh from the office of the National Security Adviser.
In a statement in
Abuja Thursday and signed by Chief Gilbert Metuh, the family lamented that
though the money paid into Metuh’s account had been spent on the order of
former President Goodluck Jonathan, he was willing to make a refund.
“It is instructive
that out of over 300 names listed as having received money from the ONSA, all
those who offered to refund money were not arraigned in court.
“Our
son is the only one whose offer to refund money was rejected and has been
arraigned in court and his case given accelerated hearing. On each trial date
the hostility in the courtroom is palpable,” he said.
The
family further faulted the government’s refusal to allow their son seek medical
attention oversees.
“Our
son was diagnosed with a spinal cord problem in 2004. He has consistently
managed it over this period.
“However,
due to the treatments he received while in custody, the situation got
aggravated. In the course of his trial, the situation deteriorated, especially
after he fell at a meeting in the party office for which he was rushed to the
National Hospital and was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit,” the statement
said.
The
Metuh family expressed shock that with all the information available to the
court regarding his medical condition and the critical need for him to have
this corrective surgery, the Federal High Court Abuja refused his application.
“It
is also instructive to note that the Federal High Court Abuja on the same day
granted leave to someone facing similar trial to go abroad for one month for
prayers while our ailing son is not allowed to travel for urgent medical
attention.
“We
are also aware that a few others facing similar trials, within the same federal
high court jurisdiction, have been granted leave to travel for medical
treatment and their passports released to them by the same court where they
were granted bail.” Opted From Daily Post
