The Federal High Court, Abuja, has admitted in evidence, the final account tendered by Olisa Metuh, former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Metuh tendered the document on Tuesday at the resumed hearing, detailing how the sum of the N400 million for which he is standing trial, was spent on a special national assignment.
Metuh who was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr Abel Ozioko submitted that the money was used for a special national assignment given to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The court also admitted in evidence, media publications where, in response to Metuh’s arrest and arraignment in 2016, the leadership of the PDP affirmed that the PDP did not in any way benefit from the fund.
This, he said was contrary to allegations that it was used for political activities of the party.
The documents were admitted and marked as exhibits 21 and 22.
Metuh had earlier tendered a document detailing disbursements, names and signatures of individuals who received funds in execution of the national assignment which was admitted and marked as exhibit 20.
Metuh told the court that no part of the N400 million was spent on any activity of the PDP, contrary to the claims of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ( EFCC).
He said that his record of account and receipts of payments showed that the entire fund was used for the national assignment as directed by President Jonathan.
“No part of the N400 million was spent on any activity of the PDP.
See also AMCON INVADES VICTORY PARK ESTATE WITH POLICEMEN AND ARMED THUGS ..........FORCIBLY THROW OUT WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM THEIR HOMES Tuesday, 25th June 2019 was a traumatic day for over 300 Families in Victory Park Estate, Lekki Lagos. Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in a gestapo style action invaded the homes of Residents in Victory Park Estate while most residents were at their places of work leaving their young families exposed to the invasion of over 30 armed police men and over fifty thugs claiming to be executing a High Court Judgement of 2017 against Knight Rook, Grant Properties and the Awosedo’s (Promoters of Victory Park Estate). According to eyewitness who craved anonymity “the Action was carefully planned by the AMCON and its Receiver Manager, Mr. Lanre Olaoluwa to take place at a time that most Home Owners would be at their places of work”. Homeowners had to rush back to the Estate when they received a distress call from vulnerable members of their families left at home. A traumatized resident who also witness the AMCON rampage lamented that “One of the families with children between the ages of 3 and below were forced out of their homes with little or no time to pick any personal effects under heavy downpour and very heavy armed presence”. He decried such inhumane treatment of hapless victims of high handedness and warned against a reoccurrence. AMCON Obtained a Judgement against the Promoters of the Estate and seeks to attach the lands and property in the Estate to the Judgement debt without taking into consideration existing encumbrances which are lands owned by Individuals and families who purchased their land, built their homes and have been living in the Estate without any notice at the time of purchase of their land of any encumbrances on the land. No Registered Mortgage and no Caveat at the Lands Registry. The various Banks that handed over the debt of the promoters to AMCON, knew that the Promoters were selling the lands to innocent hard working Nigerians who took loans to purchase land in a supposed secured Site and Service Estate having done their due diligence at the land registry. The Promoters and the Banks are parties to the fraud against innocent Nigerians and now AMCON has degenerated to an Omonile by taking over homes of families and sending mothers and children out of their homes under very heavy armed presence and down pour. AMCON is a supposed Agency of Government and must not be seen to exploit the vulnerability of families that genuinely purchased land and built their homes in their Country only to be evacuated from their homes in a gestapo manner. AMCON Act provides that AMCON and its Receiver Manager shall take over Assets subject to existing encumbrances. The Judgement against the Asset of the promoters should ideally not extend to what no longer belongs to the Promoters. “You cannot give what you don’t have”. Families in Victory Park now live in fear and horror not knowing which family will be next to be thrown out of their homes. A Government should not through its Agency treat its citizens like outcasts. The families are vulnerable, AMCON has the instrument of State, the Courts and the Police and now the self help thugs. “Who do the Citizens, the over 300 young families in Victory Park; Who do they have”. While the Families are seeking legal help, AMCON as a Government Agency is enjoined to immediately call to Order its Receiver Manager, Mr Lanre Olaoluwa who happens to be a legal practitioner to desist from the harassment and intimidation of families with the use of armed thugs and heavily armed police men.
“The record of account and all the expenditure made, with receipts, bearing the names of those who received funds show that the entire N400 million was expended in execution of the special national assignment.
“President Jonathan had always insisted that the party must not benefit from government funding and that no government fund or asset must be used to promote or support the activities of the party,” Metuh said.
Continuing in his evidence, Metuh cleared the air on his earlier hesitation to give out the names of those who worked under him in the execution of the assignment to the EFCC but preferred to tender them in court.
“Such individuals include respected professionals in various fields, including university lecturers and i will not want them to suffer the embarrassment of unnecessary negative media report and misrepresentations at the time.
“Exhibit 20 contains the names of professionals who worked with me and received funds in execution of the project
”They accepted to participate in the assignment due to the confidence and trust they have in my integrity, I did not want them to suffer the humiliation of negative reports at the time.
“It was for this reason that I insisted that if there are any questions, repercussions, refunds or persecution to be suffered in that regard, it should be directed at me personally, Metuh said.
The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang adjourned the matter until May 27, 28 and 30, 2019 for continuation of trial.
Metuh is standing trial for allegedly receiving the sum of N400 million from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, monies earmarked for the purchase of arms at the heat of the Boko Haram insurgency.
He was also accused of transacting with cash of $2 million without going through a final institution in violation of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.
Leave a Reply