Metuh: Temper justice with mercy, PDP begs CJN

Toluwani Eniola

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to look into the continuous refusal of bail to the party’s national spokesperson, Chief Olisa Metuh.

Metuh , who is currently on trial for allegedly collecting N400m from the office of the National Security Adviser, had been appealing to the court in order for him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The PDP said in the spirit of democracy and freedom, Metuh should be allowed to enjoy his fundamental human rights.

Appealing to the CJN in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Gani Taofik, the PDP asked Mohammed to  give his  opinion on the denial of the request by Metuh.

The party said in view of Metuh’s family ties to the country, he would not run away in order to evade trial.

The PDP said, “We ask the state not to take the ordinary prosecution to be a persecution as the whole efforts would be defeated if, God forbid, the defendant becomes permanently incapacitated due to lack of medical care for his peculiar ailments.

“He (Metuh) has survived several attacks and we think that this prosecution should not turn into persecution. We are of the belief that it is not the wish of the judicial system that a defendant dies or is permanently incapacitated during trial in circumstances that are ordinarily avoidable. Olisa Metuh is a lawyer and is aware of the implication of jumping bail. He is not likely to jump bail. We appeal that justice should be tempered with mercy as this is very appropriate in this circumstance.

“For the Federal Government not to kill the opposition, this (May 29) celebration is an auspicious moment to allow Metuh enjoy medical care in any place of his choice. This is a strong appeal to the conscience of the trial judge, the prosecutor and, indeed, the Chief justice of Nigeria to have a second consideration for the full bail of Chief Metuh, who is obviously very ill and unable to continue the rigours of the trials.”

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