The handcuffing, yesterday, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, during his arraignment at a Federal High Court in Abuja, was at the instance of the Presidency, his party as said.

PDP tweeted later in the day from its official Twitter handle, ‏@PdpNigeria: “FLASH: Presidency instructed us to put handcuffs on Olisa Metuh. We had no choice. -Kuje Prison source.”

The revelation came as outrage swept across Igboland over the handcuffing of Metuh, who is accused of corruption to the tune of N400 million and remains in prison custody awaiting the perfecting of the bail granted him yesterday. A number of commentators alleged that he was so humiliated because he is Igbo.

This sentiment was captured in a short statement which has been trending on social media, especially among Ndigbo. According to the statement, “OLISA METUH WAS BROUGHT TO COURT ON HANDCUFF BECAUSE HE IS IGBO. Dasuki, the “ATM machine” was treated with some dignity. No handcuffs. Bafarawa of Sokoto accused of N4.6bn for prayers was never handcuffed. Haliru Bello from Kebbi accused of collecting N600m with his son even came to court from the hospital. No handcuffs. His son, no handcuffs. Dokpesi allegedly collected N2.4b. No handcuffs. Why was Olisa Metuh treated differently if not for the disdain for the Igbos by the present regime? Because one big man in the presidency ordered for him to be handcuffed!”

•Photo shows Olisa Metuh in handcuff . . . yesterday at a Federal High Court, Abuja.