Alleged N400m fraud: Metuh commences evidence-in-chief outside witness box
By Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, permitted the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh to commence his evidence-in-chief outside the witness box.
Recalled that the former PDP spokesman, while attempting to enter the dock on May 21, 2018, with the help of a walking aid, fell down, which led to his absence from court on May 22, 23 and 24, for his trial.
Following that development, the trial Judge ordered that Metuh would be tried in absentia, and on May 25, 2018, the court closed his case and asked the second defendant, Destra Investments Limited to open his case on the next adjourned date.
Justice Abang, on July 3, vacated the order, he made on May 25, closing Metuh’s case and reopened the case to allow him to testify personally and to also call two additional witnesses.
After the two witnesses had testified yesterday, Metuh prayed the court to allow him to call a third witness who according to him, would lay the foundation on which he would commence his evidence.
Justice Abang granted him leave to call the additional witness saying that no sacrifice was too much for the court to make to ensure that justice was served.
When Metuh’s counsel, Dr Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN) called him to enter the witness box to commence his evidence-in-chief, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang asked Metuh to remain on his seat.
From his seat, following his affirmation to tell only the truth in the matter, Metuh told the court that he was a lawyer, a business executive, a politician and a real estate developer.
Ikpeazu who had earlier told the court that he would only introduce the evidence of Metuh, prayed the court to allow him to stop and continue on to next adjourned date.
He also craved the indulgence of the court to allow his client travel to attend his daughter’s graduation abroad but the judge said he could not act on the request since there was no formal application before the court.
The judge then adjourned the matter till October 22-24, 2018 for Metuh to continue with his evidence-in-chief.
Metuh is standing trial along with his company, Destra Investments Limited, on a seven-count charge for allegedly receiving the sum of N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (rtd) and used same for the political activities of the PDP in the 2015 general elections.
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