A
former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP),
Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday offered to refund the N400million he got from the
Office of the National Security Adviser( ONSA) during the tenure of former
National Security Adviser( NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki.
He
said he had been in talks with the Ministry of Justice, the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other bodies on how to refund the money
and resolve the issue.
The
cash was part of the $2.1billion that was meant for arms purchase. The cash
which was managed by ONSA, was allegedly diverted.
After
many months in and out of detention and court, Metuh decided to repay the money
which was illegally remitted into the account of his firm, Desra Nigeria
Limited.
The
ex-PDP spokesman made the announcement in a statement through his lawyer,
Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN).
He
said although the cash was released to him by former President Goodluck
Jonathan, he did not know the source as at the time.
He
said since the EFCC presented in court a document on the source of the money,
he had made up his mind to willingly refund the N400million.
He
said with the development, he will continue to support the anti-corruption
campaign of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is
necessary to ensure probity in Nigeria
The
statement said: “In the light of the circumstances regarding the case of our
client, Chief Olisa Metuh, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), we want to explain the reasons for our client’s proposal to refund the
N400 million released to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and which
was expended on a project approved by the ex-President on national issues
relating to his Presidency and the Federal Government at that time.
“We
want to restate that at the time the money was released to him after his
presentation to the ex-President, our client had no knowledge of the source, a
fact that is now obvious from the evidence of the prosecution and defence
witnesses.
“Our
client had every cause to believe that the money was from the ex-President to
whom he made presentation, received directives and rendered report and accounts
accordingly.
“When
the matter first came up and Chief Metuh was invited to the Office of the
National Security Adviser (ONSA) in December 2015, he requested to know the
source of the money and expressed his readiness to make refunds if it was from
government coffers, not minding that the money had been expended as directed by
the former President.
“Officials
at ONSA never got back to him as they promised, until his arrest by the EFCC in
January 2016.
“
It was however while in court that a document was brought regarding the source
of the money and since then, our client has made manifest his willingness to
refund the money and has indeed approached his family, friends and associates
to mobilise funds to refund the entire N400 million to the government
regardless of the fact that the money had been expended based on the directives
of the former President and that part of the money had been recovered from one
of the prosecution witnesses.”
Metuh
said he had started discussions with the EFCC and the Ministry of Justice to
resolve the case and move on.
The
statement added: “ We want to confirm that since then, we have been in talks
with the Ministry of Justice, the EFCC and other necessary bodies on how to
refund the money and resolve the issue.
“Our
client occupied no government office. His commitment and dedication to his
official duties have been confirmed by even prosecution witnesses. In this
whole saga, he has been an unfortunate victim of circumstances. His refunding
the money therefore goes to show his support for the anti-corruption war as
well as serve as a testament to his sincerity, integrity and honesty in this
matter.
“
There is no doubt that the prosecution has considerably embarked on some
expenses in the course of this case. It is hoped that by not discounting the
sum already recovered, whatever cost so far incurred would have been defrayed.
By this, a critical objective of recovery of funds would no doubt be achieved.”
He
pledged to lend his support to the anti-graft war of the Buhari administration
in order to ensure probity in the country.
The
statement said: “It is pertinent to restate our client’s continued support for
the anti-corruption campaign, which is necessary to ensure probity in the
affairs of Nigeria to the extent that it is conducted within the rule of law.
“
Finally, it is our client’s prayer that this nation shall come through this
difficult time by the grace of the Almighty God.”
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