Claimed N400m fraud: Date fixed for court to determine Olisa Metuh’s fate

An Abuja Federal High Court has fixed Tuesday, February 25, 2020, to determine the fate of the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh on the N400m he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2015.

Justice Okon Abang fixed Tuesday for judgement on the case, after the prosecution and the defence lawyers on November 26, 2019 made their closing arguments.

Onyxnewsng recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has prosecuted Metuh and his organisation, Destra Investment Limited, on seven counts charge.

The charges against the defendants level down on money laundering and allegations that they both fraudulently took the N400m from the proceeds of alleged criminal act of the then NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

Metuh was also accused of transacting with a cash of $2m without going through any bank. This was done in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

In January 2016 when they were arraigned before the court, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the seven counts.

The defence team, comprising Mr. Abel Ozioko, who appeared for Metuh and Mr. Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) for Destra Investments have called on the court to acquit and discharge their clients on the ground that the allegations against them have not been proved by the prosecution.

Ozioko argued that the N400m the defendants received from ONSA was meant for “security services”, also the transfer of the money to Metuh and his company was authorised by then President Goodluck Jonathan.

He insisted that the defendants were asked by Jonathan to carry out security services and not a contract. He added that the prosecution has not proved that the services were not provided.

However, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, insisted that his team had proved all the offences charged against Metuh and Destra Investment Limited true, Punch reports.