#DasukiGate: Witness Alleges Metuh Diverts N50M Out Of N400M For Personal Use

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, February 9th, 2016

The trial of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh at a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja over alleged diversion of N400 Million, out of the $2.1 Billion arms procurement money resumes Tuesday with another witness testifying against the accused.

Metuh has previously admitted he collected certain sum from the office of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to execute an undisclosed project for the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan.

The fifth witness, an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) Junaid Sa’id, who appeared before Justice Okon Abang, alleged Metuh diverted N50 Million out of about N500 Million he received from the ex-NSA office to his account and personal use.

The witness who explained how Metuh turned his statement, claimed that the accused used the diverted portion to purchase property at Banana Island, Lagos.

Sa’id told the court that the sum of N366 Million and another N150 Million were paid into the same account by Kabiru Ibrahim. Similarly, he pointed out that while Capital Field Investment Limited paid in N91Million another person, identified as, Eyitonye, paid in N82 Milion. The sums were from $2 Million handed over to Nneka Ararume by Metuh.

Previous investigations have revealed that the sums had been distributed among private firms and individuals such as: N77.5 Million to (CMC connect); N25 Million to (Abba Dabo) N21.7 Million to a PDP Chieftain, (Chief Tony Anenih); to (Chief Kema Chikwe), for campaign activities.

Explaining how Metuh tore his statement, Sa’id pointed out that after the interview with the EFCC officials, during investigation; the accused was asked if he was willing to make a written statement, a request which he obliged.

After putting down the statement in four sheets, witness said Metuh handed them to the EFCC officials while the contents were read to him. Sa’id revealed Metuh endorsed the first and second sheet, yet stopped when reached the third sheet where he indicated that the money he collected from Dasuki’s office was used for his party’s campaign activities as well as settle personal debts.

It was at this level, the witness alleged, Metuh tore his statement. He told the court that the pieces of the shredded statements were recovered from him and registered as exhibit.