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| Metuh |
A witness yesterday told a Federal High Court in
Abuja that he received the sum of N25 million from National Publicity Secretary
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh.
Abba Dabo, a former Special Adviser to the President in the office of the Vice President, testified that he got the amount through his bank account on December 16, 2014 for the presidential campaign publicity of the PDP and the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Dabo, who
was a former editor Sunday New Nigerian newspaper, stated that to carry out the
publicity, he set up internet platforms such as “Whatsapp Nigeria” and “Media
Support.”
The witness, who was led in evidence by EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir however explained that he returned the money to the EFCC in 2015 after he read in the newspapers that it might have been sourced from “a botched arms deal.”
Under cross examination by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Dabo admitted that he did not ask Metuh the source of the money.
Justice Okon Abang adjourned the case to February 9 for hearing after defence counsel Ikpeazu requested for adjournment on health grounds.
Meanwhile, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir has informed the court that the anti-graft agency intends to close its case after presenting three additional witnesses against Metuh. Already, seven witnesses had testified.
Nnenna Ararume, the Wealth Manager of Assets and Resource Management (ARM), which is portfolio manager for Metuh’s company, Destra Investments Ltd, on January 25, testified that she received the sum of $2 million from Metuh for investment in December 2014. Also testifying on January 25, Iyenome Sie, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator told the court that he exchanged $500, 000 to N92 million for Metuh in two tranches after he was contacted by Ms Ararume.
Also on January 26, Ndam Bali, a legal officer with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), said there were 78 firms, including Metuh’s Destra Investment Ltd that received payments for contracts without approval.
On January 27, Eno Effiong, an account manager for Metuh and his company Destra Investments Ltd at Diamond Bank PLC, testified that Metuh’s account got a N400 million transfer from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki.
The managing director of CMC Connect Ltd, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya on January 28 testified that he received the sum of N77.5 million from Metuh to launder the image of the PDP ahead of the presidential election.
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