The Peoples Democratic Party has lamented that the quick release of President Muhammmadu Buhari's close associate, Jafaru Isa, from EFCC's interrogation is proof that Federal Government is on a witch hunt for members of the PDP
In Set: Jafaru Isa and Operatives of EFCC
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday, January 10, said the release of an associate of President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Brig. Gen. Jafaru Isa (rtd), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, barely eight hours after his arrest has confirmed its position that the current corruption fight was a clamp-down mission on its leaders.
The party said its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, who was arrested without invitation has remained in detention since Tuesday, while the APC chieftain, who disregarded the commission’s invitation and had to be arrested was released after the EFCC boss met President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.
PDP, in a statement by its National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon said there can be no clearer indication that the APC-led administration was 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 questioned the action of EFCC in releasing Brig. Gen. Isa, eight hours after his arrest, while Chief Metuh is still being detained even when the two are being investigated over the 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 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 Buhariled 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 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 tele-guided 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?," the statement read in part.