Olisa Metuh, spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, will not be getting any relief soon.

Metuh has been accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of receiving N400 million from the allegedly diverted arms money by the office of the National Security Adviser.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, January 14, declined the application by Olisa Metuh to quicken the hearing of the case challenging his continued detention by the EFCC.

Metuh has been in the custody of the anti-graft agency for over a week since his arrest while the EFCC has stated that he’s refused to refund the money received.

The PDP spokesperson filed a motion at the court, through his counsel, Ifedayo Adetibe, on Wednesday, Janauary 13 demanding the immediate commencement of hearings on his suit.

Adetibe informed the court in his interlocutory application that the arrest and prolonged detention of Metuh goes against the constitution, while also stating that the EFCC had no right to arrest and detain anyone without charging the suspect to court.

The presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang, however said the matter was merely an interlocutory application, not a substantive issue and therefore cannot be given a quickened hearing.

“I so hold that in such an interlocutory application parties before a court can only be heard within the confines of the rules of court,” Abang said.

He said the request by Adetiba that the matter be heard on Thursday, could not be granted, as the respondents, EFCC have five days to respond, excluding Sunday upon which he adjourned the case to January 20.

Adebayo Emuleomo