Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday insisted that Justice O.E. Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, should invite former President Goodluck Jonathan to give evidence in his ongoing trial.
Metuh is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his company, Dextra Investment, on seven counts bordering on money laundering to the tune of 400 million naira.
The money was allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2014 under Sambo Dasuki, the then National Security Adviser, without justification.
Metuh, while being cross-examined, said, ”The payment of 400 million naira was made by the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This is because I made a presentation and he informed that he will make funds available for the prosecution of that national assignment and he even called me to tell me that the 400 million naira has been paid.
Metuh reminded the court that he applied for former President Jonathan to be subpoenaed to give evidence concerning his claim but that the court ignored him, restating that the court should subpoena Jonathan.
He further claimed that Mike Ozekhome, former lawyer to Jonathan, told him that he needed to pay about 1.2 billion naira for Jonathan’s transportation and to guarantee his security before he could come to the court.
“I am just hearing for the first time that the former president denied knowing me. I am not in a position to confirm or deny about the opposition of his excellency to be a witness; I can only confirm that he insisted that I should pay 1.2 billion naira,” Metuh added.
Meanwhile, the prosecution tendered the certified copies of the motion document filed by Ozekhome and tendered the motion filed on October 27, 2017 on behalf of the former President Jonathan, seeking to set aside the subpoena as well as the affidavit in support of the said motion and written address.
The prosecution also tendered a counter-affidavit of the senior counsel, made on October 30, 2017 but filed on the November 1, 2017.
Justice Abang adjourned the case to Thursday, September, 26, 2019, for conclusion of arguments and admissibility of documents, and for continuation of trial.
The trial judge will also, on the new adjournment date, consider the need to further adjourn the matter to September, 30 and October 2,3, and 4, 2019 for continuation of trial.