The Federal High Court in Abuja has found Mr Olisa Metuh
guilty of money laundering in the sum of N400 million.
The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, found the former
National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) guilty on
Tuesday while delivering judgement in the suit instituted against him by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency charged Metuh, who is standing trial
alongside his company, Destra investment, with seven counts bordering on
criminal diversion of the money received from the office of the former National
Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
Delivering judgement in the case, Justice Abang convicted
the former PDP spokesman of count one of the charges.
“It is my view that Metuh took possession of the N400
million from the office of the NSA without contractual agreement; he is guilty
of money laundering and is hereby convicted on count one.”
Shortly after he was convicted, the trial judged suspended
reading the judgment to allow the former PDP spokesman use the gents.
Upon his return to the courtroom, Justice Abang proceeded
with his judgement on the second count of the charges which bordered on the
criminal conversion of N400 million.
According to him, the evidence before him shows that the
money was used to fund activities of the PDP.
The judge added that Metuh also used the money to acquire a
property at Banana Island in Lagos.
He explained that this was contrary to the e-payment mandate
which stated that the money was meant for security services, whereas Dextra
Investment was not a registered security outfit.
Justice Abang insisted that the evidence pointed to the fact
that the money was deliberately laundered to brighten the chances of the PDP
during the general elections in 2015.
He added that Metuh failed to explain the transfer of N50
million from the N400 million to the joint account of himself and his wife
“It is, therefore, manifestly clear that the defendant
converted the money for PDP campaign activities and I find him guilty and is
hereby convicted accordingly,” the judge declared.
On count three which bordered on concealment of funds,
Justice Abang says the e-payment mandate showed that the money was released for
security services but was concealed and used for PDP campaign activities and
personal use.
“I hereby find him guilty and convicted on count 3,” he
ruled.
The trial judge also delivered judgment on count 4 which was
the allegation of illegal disbursement of funds.
He said the Prosecution placed credible evidence before the
court which showed some of the unlawful acts of Colonel Sambo Dasuki as the NSA
while in office.
Justice Abang held, “The first defendant was desirous of
repositioning the PDP and he deployed the funds for that purpose and personal
use.”
He noted that the meeting wherein former President Jonathan
allegedly authorised the payment was tagged a ‘security meeting’.
But the judge wondered why only the former NSA and top
officials of the PDP attended the meeting, yet Metuh claimed the money was
disbursed for special national assignment.
But the judge wondered why only the former NSA and top
officials of the PDP attended the meeting, yet Metuh claimed the money was
disbursed for special national assignment, stressing that the first defendant
was not a witness of truth.
He said, “I agree with the prosecution that Metuh’s claims
are tissues of lies hurriedly put in place to divert the attention of the court
from prying into the disbursement of the N400 million received from the office
of the NSA through an under the table agreement.
“It is a case of public funds filtering into private hands
for selfish reasons.”
Justice Abang, therefore, held that the N400 million was
never released for a special national assignment based on the evidence before
him.
“Therefore, I find the first and second defendants guilty on
count 4,” he ruled.
Justice Abang, therefore, held that the N400 million was
never released for a special national assignment based on the evidence before
him.
He then proceeded to give judgement on count 7 – transfer of
funds to a PDP chieftain, saying he would come back to counts 5 and 6.
On the seventh count of the charges, the trial judge held
that the transfer of N27.7 million to Mr Anthony Anenih for a special national
assignment directly represented the illicit nature of the fund.
“I have again considered the position of the prosecution and
found that the prosecution proved the transfer of N27.7 million to Chief
Anthony Anenih, and I hereby find the first and second defendants guilty on count
7 and are hereby convicted,” he ruled.
More to follow…
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