The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for a fair and public trial for several of its members embroiled in a $2.1 billion arms deal corruption investigation being spearheaded by the Presidency and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The call came after the arrest of the sons of sons of Attahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State and Haliru Bello Mohamed, former minister of defence and ex-national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Also in the EFCC net are former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa and Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
The PDP in an emailed statement signed by Chief Olisa Metuh said,
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in its entirety, the arrest of media mogul, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi and other opposition elements by the APC-led Federal Government.
The party also alerted that it has been made aware that more notable PDP leaders have similarly been listed for arrest over unproven allegations pursuant to the plot by the APC to cow and silence opposition in the country.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement on Tuesday said the military style of pronouncement of guilt on Chief Dokpesi before any fair hearing, betrays the fact that he is a victim of political persecution and mob trial by the APC government because of his association with the PDP.
“While the PDP is not against the war against corruption, we insist that the crusade must be carried out within the limits of the law and not as a guise to persecute and torture opposition elements in the country.
“Our fear is that with the pronouncement of guilt even without being giving the opportunity within his rights as a citizen to state his own side of the story, the President Buhari-led government is sidestepping the laws to ensure that Chief Dokpesi does not get justice in the court, a plot which they want to extend to other PDP leaders.
“The PDP therefore demands an open and public trial of all those arrested so that all issues and charges against them as well as their defence therein would also be in the public domain. We demand a proper investigation and lawful prosecution instead of the reprehensible resort to outright political persecution, which can only have a place in a military regime.
“We also note that this development may not be unconnected with the planned onslaught against the media, following its commitment in holding this dictatorial regime accountable since it took office.
“Finally, we call on the international community and rights bodies worldwide to note the growing impunity and gross violation of human rights by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government tailored to decimate the opposition and cow the media in Nigeria.