Metuh
Former
national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Chief Olisa Metuh, on Wednesday October 2, 2019, closed argument in
his ongoing trial before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High
Court, Abuja. He had called 15 witnesses to prove his innocence of
the money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The
EFCC is prosecuting Metuh alongside his company, Destra Investment
Limited, on seven-count charges bordering on money laundering to the
tune of N400 million(Four Hundred Million Naira), which he received
from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the lead up to
the 2015 general election.
It
could be recalled that the court in 2018 issued an order for Metu to
close his case, but had to vacate it to enable him call more
witnesses.
At
the court session on Friday, September 27, 2019, Metuh, who is the
15th witness in his matter, told the court under cross-examination by
the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, that there was never an
instance where former President Goodluck Jonathan directly gave any
money to him, saying that his collection of N400million (Four Hundred
Million Naira) from Col. Sambo Dasuki (former NSA) was for
a national assignment as directed by the then president.
At
today’s trial, the prosecution counsel presented a Diamond Bank
document which captured the details of the transactions carried out
by Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited.
The
defence counsel indicated a desire to cross-examine Metuh on the
tendered documents but the prosecution objected on the grounds that
the matter was not a fresh charge.
Destra
Investment’s counsel, Mr Tochukwu Onwugbufor argued that the
prosecution had turned Metuh into its witness by introducing new
evidence, that he was entitled to cross-examine Metuh on the bank
documents. But Tahir opposed the application, arguing that it was
misconceived and not supported by provisions of the Evidence Act.
Justice
Abang, relying on sections 215(3), 216 and 217 of the Evidence Act,
upheld the argument of the prosecution and refused the application of
the defence counsel to cross examine Metuh.
According
to the Judge, Section 216 of the Evidence Act was of no assistance to
the defence, while Section 217 was of no relevance, noting that the
defence cannot argue that the document contained fresh issues to
alter provisions of the Evidence Act. He further stated that it was
not mandatory for counsel of the second defendant (Destra Investment)
to cross-examine Metuh on the bank documents, saying such can only
happen at the discretion of the court.
Justice
Abang adjourned the matter to October 7, 2019, for continuation of
trial and for other pending applications to be heard.
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