Chief Olisa Metuh and the drama in Court , By Tobenna Obiano

I watched many photos posted online about how the former National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh was arraigned in court today. I have also read many commenters write either in solidarity and a few, against the Metuh’s appearance.

I have always believed in justice. I have always believed in doing things aright. I have always believed that if our world must prosper and flourish, we should stand up for justice, speak truth to power and shame wrongdoing wherever and whenever it raises its ugly head. Wrongs must be strongly condemned, avoided and detested.

First, Mr. Metuh was a powerful voice in the past administration. He spoke up for his political party and in the cause of his duties might have stepped on some toes, really big toes. He was also fingered in certain corruption charges. Those notwithstanding, truth must be told always.

I saw photos of Chief. Metuh brought in with an ambulance bearing the inscription, National Hospital, Abuja. He actually was brought out with a stretcher. It was a sorry sight to behold. I felt pity for the man. It was a sad one. I was really bothered why any judge would insist on inviting someone who looked that sick. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Somehow, it seemed that it’s right from his sick bed that he was brought into the court room on a stretcher. I felt that must be the height of wickedness and man inhumanity to man. But then again, maybe the judge wanted to really know the true state of health of Barr. Metuh, and not to rely on hearsays.

Most times, we tend to be quick to conclude. I decided to reach out to a few others who can speak the truth just as it is. I wanted to inquire why any right thinking person would bring Metuh in that state of health. I gathered from a very reliable source, a trusted one indeed that Chief. Metuh was in Oko, Anambra State on Friday for the burial and funeral of Anambra’s illustrious son, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s former Vice-President.

I wanted to clearly understand what was really happening. In the words of my friend and ally, he began, “that’s why most of us take you Tobenna very seriously. You always wanna hear diverse views and the truth. I will be honest to you. First, the man just doesn’t want to answer to his case, he has been smartly trying to play our justice system and dodge it all. Oh wait, do you mean the same Olisa Metuh that was up and about, jumping up and down everywhere at Ekwueme’s burial just on Friday suddenly gave into sickness and arrived on a wheelchair this Monday morning. Metuh would do well in Nollywood”.

Now, the problem with Nigeria is that sometimes, we are stupid, ignorant, sentimental and foolish in our support or solidarity. I say this because I know so. No doubt, Mr. Buhari’s Presidency might not have been fair to Ndi-Igbo, he might have show signs of been a tribalistic element, one could also think of him as a bigot who acts on favoritism and what have you. That said, if someone is charged with corruption cases, he should go clear him or herself, not putting up a show just to mop up cheap and ridiculous sentiments.

I’m an Igbo man; a proud Igbo son. I tell you what, ndi-Igbo aren’t criminals and we detest doing evil. While I strongly disagree with Mr. Buhari from so many fronts in his governing of Nigeria, here as against the so-called solidarity of many ndi-Igbo for their son, I think more of we putting this nation aright and on the right path.

I stand for solidarity, but I can’t be ignorant, sentimental or foolish with my stand as to supporting a brother. We must have the big balls to speak truth to power and damn the consequences; for things go wrong where men and women who can stand up tall and say the truth fail to do so, but instead, choose to follow the bandwagon and play cheap dramatize of pitiful and belittling show of shame.

Except if Chief. Metuh suddenly fell ill after the Ekwueme’s burial; aside that, I’m not a party to the solidarity of his drama. That Dasuki is given a VIP treatment, if it did be so, shouldn’t make us to follow same criminal path and want a VIP treatment as well.

Let’s be bold enough to call the spade by its name. And yes, I wrote this!