Dasuki Gate: Court admits Metuh’s account of N400m expenditure in evidence

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.

“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 assignment.

”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

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