Metuh put with financial scammers

There are indications that the Peoples Democratic
Party spokesman, Olisa Metuh, is being kept in a
prison cell where financial scammers and those
who had committed frauds were being held.
It was learnt that Metuh, who was remanded at the
Kuje Prisons, Abuja on the order of a Federal High
Court, was isolated from other awaiting trial
inmates to protect him from being harmed.
Our correspondent learnt that the prison officers
were also keeping a tight watch over him to
prevent any foul play.
The court had on Tuesday granted the PDP
chieftain bail over a seven-count charge of
corruption, but he had yet to meet the bail
conditions.
Less than 48 hours after, the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday
morning slammed a fresh two-count charge on
him before Justice Ishaq Bello of the FCT High
Court over attempt by the politician to destroy a
confessional statement made to its operatives.
Sources said that the prison authorities usually
isolate high profile inmates from other criminals
who had committed violent offences like armed
robbery, murder and other heinous crimes.
It was gathered that the prison authorities were
following the standard laid down protocol in
Metuh’s case by shielding him from violent
inmates who could attack him at night.
The source further explained that Metuh had not
been eating prison food, adding that he had made
arrangement for his feeding, which he said was
allowed.
A source said, “The prisons service has a standard
procedure they follow when it comes to high profile
inmates or VIP detainees as you call them. One,
we don’t allow them to mix with other inmates for
safety reason. Secondly, we don’t keep them in
crowded cells, but they are kept with those who
may have committed a similar offence or offences.
“In Metuh’s case, we are observing the same
protocol; he is being held in a cell where people
who had committed similar offences were being
kept, that is, those who did not commit violent or
capital crimes and we are keeping a serious watch
over him to prevent any foul play.”
When asked if the prison service was giving Metuh
special treatment, the Nigeria Prisons Service
Public Relations Officer, Francis Enobore, said all
inmates were treated fairly and equally, stressing
that “there is no VIP treatment for anyone in prison
custody.”
He said that Metuh like any inmate involved in a
high profile criminal case, was kept with inmates
who had allegedly committed similar offences,
adding that this is according to laid down criteria
in the prison system.
Enobore said, “When an inmate is brought to the
prison, the age, criminal records and type of
offence he committed are considered before we
place him in a cell.
When VIPs are sent to us, we isolate them from
criminals who are in prison on account of violent
offences like armed robbery, murder and other
heinous crimes.
“We send them to a cell that houses people of
similar offence record. We do what is called
classification and this is according to laid down
criteria. And what are the criteria? Age comes to
play here, criminal record is considered and the
type of offence. We try to group people.”
Source: PunchNg