Why Metuh Was Handcuffed–NPS

The handcuff of National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh, to court on Tuesday has continued to generate mixed reactions, but the Nigeria Prisons Service, NPS, has explained why it took that decision.

Spokesman of the NPS, Francis Enobore, explained to Punch in a phone interview that Metuh was handcuffed to court based on the discretion of the prison officer that supervised his court appearance.

Enobore further explained that it was purely based on security situation, the environment and intelligence report made available to the officer.

“Handcuffing an inmate is at the discretion of the officer in-charge, depending on the security situation, the environment and intelligence report available to the officer. Sometimes they look at the atmosphere and take the necessary decision.

“If you suspect that the atmosphere, security-wise, may not be conducive to the inmates in your custody, you can use handcuffs; to avoid a situation where you have to start telling stories, you use your discretion to study the environment and take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the inmates in your custody.”

He further said, “Remember that we not only try to secure the inmate from escaping, we equally provide protection for the inmate. The officer in-charge must ensure that the life of the inmate is not jeopardised. It is the officer in charge of the escort that studies the security environment and takes the decision to use handcuffs.”

Enobore rubbished claims that Metuh was given such treatment because of the influence of the Presidency.