Alleged Corruption: Olisa Metuh Opens Defence

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PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, has opened his defence at a Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Mr Metuh on Monday, called his first witness in defence of the case of corruption levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At the resumed trial, Mr Ike Agbenna who worked as a media consultant to the PDP spokesman, said that the then leader of the party, former President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the party funded the Office of the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP.

This was contested by the prosecutor, who told the court that he has evidence of illegal financial transaction between the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) and Mr Metuh.

Having listened to the testimony of the first and only witness of the day, Justice Okon Abang adjourned the case till April 20 for cross examination and continuation of trial.

Following the judge’s ruling, counsels to the parties, Sylvanus Tahir, and Emeka Etiaba (SAN), restated their commitment to prove their case.

Abuse Of Court Process

In an earlier ruling, Justice Abang had dismissed an application filed by Mr Olisa Metuh seeking an end to the hearing of the suit against him in the court.

The spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked the court to disqualify itself on grounds of bias by the presiding judge.

While he alleged that the presiding judge was a classmate of his and ill-disposed to deliver justice on the matter, Justice Abang refuted the claim and consequently dismissed his application as an abuse of court process.

Mr Olisa Metuh is standing trial on allegations of financial crimes preferred against him by the EFCC.