Security Beefed Up Around Kuje Prison Over Metuh, Kanu

Security Beefed Up Around Kuje Prison Over Metuh, Kanu

Following the detention of some high profile accused persons at Kuje Prisons in Abuja; there was unusual heavy presence of security men around the prisons yesterday, designed to ensure maximum security at the prison.

Sunday Telegraph investigation showed that visitors to the prison were subjected to thorough checks, Saturday morning, but an official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the prison have been witnessing presence of visitors.

On the unusual presence of heavy security, the official who said he was not authorized to talk said the heavy security was as a result of the calibre of Chief Olisa Metuhaccused persons currently on remand in the prisons.

A resident of the area, who simply identified himself as Kenneth told Sunday Telegraph that they have been witnessing more presence of security men in the area for about a month now, but that also increased in the past few weeks.

Sunday Telegraph recalls that the Kuje prisons has been playing host to some top accused persons being tried for one case or the other. Specifically, the National Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu are being remanded in Kuje prisons.

Metuh is being tried before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for alleged money laundering to the tune of N400 million allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser being part of the money meant for the purchase of arms.

He is also being tried before an Abuja High Court for allegedly destroying evidence at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Metuh had pleaded not guilty to all the charges before the two courts.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court had, however, admitted Metuh to bail in the sum of N400 million, while Justice Ishaq Bello of the Abuja High Court granted him bail in the sum of N300 million. Justice Abang while granting the bail, ordered that Metuh be remanded in prison custody pending when the bail will be perfected.

In a similar development, Justice Bello also ordered the continual remand of Metuh in prison pending when the bail will be perfected. Also, the Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had remanded Kanu in Kuje Prison pending when his bail application will be heard.

Kanu and two others were arraigned on charges bothering on treason in Kuje Prison pending January 25 when their bail application will be heard. The Federal Government had slammed a six-count charge on Kanu and two others bothering on treason and intention for secession of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

Others are Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

New Telegraph.