The case against the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh was opened by the EFCC on Monday before a Federal High Court in Abuja with two witnesses to testify to the charges of money laundering of the sum of N400m which he allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014.
Justice Okon Abang, who presided over the trail overruled the objection raised by Metuh’s lead counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) to adjourn the trial on basis that Metuh was unable to meet the bail conditions granted him on January 16, and as such had adverse effect on his preparation for the defence.
The prosecution led by Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application for adjournment and his objection was upheld by the judge.
Tahir then moved to the prosecution’s case with the testimony of an employee of Asset and Resource Management Company Limited, Nneka Ararume, who described her position as wealth manager in the company told the court on how she collected the sum of $2m cash from Metuh at his residence in Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja.
She said, “He gave me the sum of $2m in $100 bills. It was taken to bureau de change operators who would then transfer the money to ARM. From there (Metuh’s house) I proceeded to Mr. Sie Iyenome’s office at Wuse 2 where I gave him the sum of $1m.
“I also invited Mr. Kabir Mohammed and I also gave him the sum of $1m to transfer the naira equivalent in favour of Destra Investment Limited. Later on the same day, December 2, 2014, Mr. Kabir and Mr. Sie Iyenome confirmed the receipt.”
According to the prosecuting counsel, 16 more witnesses will be brought to testify. The trial has been adjourned tomorrow.