The former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh has sympathized with the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, who slumped at a public function at the Presidential villa on Thursday.
Chief Metuh noted that the development not only points to the frailties of human beings but also to the fact that anybody, irrespective of age and apparent vitality, can be confronted with a serious health challenge at any point.
The former PDP spokesperson noted that if such can happen to the youthful Commission’s chairman, who is not even under the stress of trial, then it should serve as a lesson to the EFCC, particularly, its media department, on the impropriety of labelling and making mockery of defendants and suspects confronted with health challenges.
A statement by Ebiloma Abdullahi,
Special Assistant to Chief Olisa Metuh said Nigerians can recall how the EFCC had gone to the media to unjustly label, mock and deride Chief Metuh when he fell ill during his trial; how he was forced to attend court on hospital stretcher, wheelchair and crutches, and how he was denied access to medical treatment despite manifest traumatic and life-threatening health challenge he faced.
“Nigerians can recall how the EFCC mocked and satirized Chief Metuh when he collapsed in the courtroom on one of the days he was forced to come to court despite his health challenge.
“Chief Metuh counsels the EFCC Chairman to immediately get medical attention so as not to experience the pains, complications, trauma and dangers he (Metuh) faced when he was denied access to medical treatment by Justice Okon Abang following the hardstand adopted by the EFCC, which he now chairs.
“In the same vein, Chief Metuh urges Nigerians, especially those with busy and tasking schedules, to pay more attention to their health situation so as to avoid such scenarios”.