•PDP’s scribe gets N400m bail as party kicks over spokesman’s treatment
From Godwin Tsa and Taiwo Amodu, Abuja
Justice Okon Abang of the
Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday admitted the embattled National
Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh,
to bail for N400 million.
Metuh, who is standing trial alongside his firm, Destra
Investment Limited, over alleged N400 million fraud, was brought to
court from Kuje Prisons in handcuffs.
Ruling on his bail application which was argued by his
counsel, Chief Chris Uche [SAN], Justice Abang ordered Metuh to produce
two sureties who must deposit N200 million each.
Besides, the court held that the sureties must not only be
residents in Abuja, but also be owners of landed properties within the
highbrow Maitama district of the FCT.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was
also ordered to verify that the sureties are true owners of the
properties.
The sureties are to further submit the Certificate of
Occupancy (C of O) of the properties to the Chief Registrar of the
court, who must verify the residences and genuineness of the properties,
as well as submit their three years tax clearance.
Justice Abang also directed that the sureties must swear
to an affidavit of means and also submit two recent passport
photographs.
The court ordered Metuh to surrender his international
passport to the Chief Registrar of the court. Metuh, who was wearing
grey beard, was brought to court in a prison bus, marked PS-682-AO,
smiling to his admirers and supporters in court.
He is answering to a seven-count criminal charge that was
preferred by the EFCC. The charge was signed by the Assistant Director,
Legal and Prosecution Department of the EFCC, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir. The
charge against Metuh borders on alleged money laundering, breach of
trust and criminal diversion of public funds.
The EFCC alleged that Metuh had in November, 2014,
collected N400 million from the erstwhile National Security Adviser
(NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).
The fund which was withdrawn from an account the Office of
the NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was allegedly
transferred to Metuh through account No. 0040437573, which Destra
Investments Limited.
The EFCC insisted that whereas the fund was earmarked for
PDP campaigns, it said Metuh allegedly diverted most of it to his
personal use. It alleged that Metuh converted part of the money to one
million US Dollars which he used for his personal business.
Besides, Metuh was said to have transferred N21.7million
to another chieftain of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih. The court had
earlier fixed January 25 to commence full hearing on the matter.
Meanwhile, the PDP has condemned Metuh’s court appearance.
Reacting to the treatment, the national leadership of the
main opposition party said the action “clearly betrays an
extra-judicial, top political witch-hunt policy of the APC, carefully
designed to humiliate, embarrass and portray PDP leaders as common
criminals and set the stage to cow and decimate opposition and perceived
foes of the government.”
The statement, signed by the National Secretary, Prof.
Wale Oladipo, claimed that Metuh was being persecuted for his strident
criticisms of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Source : sun
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