by Emeka Nwankwo
The Nigerian Prison service (NPS), on Tuesday, stated that it was within its right to handcuff the National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, and/or any other inmate, when appearing in court.
This was contained in a statement by the service Public Relation Officer, Francis Enobore, who spoke to media correspondents on the issue.
He dismissed the insinuation of the PDP that handcuffing Metuh was the plot of the Presidency and All Progress Congress (APC) to humiliate and subdue the opposition party.
Enobore also added that there was no political consideration involved when it comes to the treatment of an inmate.
NPS spokesperson stated that: “The use of mechanical restraints in prisons is as old as the institution and it’s determined by many factors. The officer studies the security situation and takes the appropriate decision to secure the inmate.”
“Part of the factors include disposition of the prisoner, security concerns along the route, court premises, mode of the relations or friends of the inmate, the security situation in the country, intelligence available to the officer and others.”
“Note that the primary responsibility of the prisons is safe custody of inmates therefore, whether in the yard, on transit, in court or hospital the officer is bound to ensure that security is not compromised.”
Metuh is on trial for allegedly receiving N400 million from the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
The said amount received by Metuh is part of $2.1 billion meant for purchase of arms to prosecute the war against Boko Haram but was instead diverted by the former NSA for personal and political purposes.
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