Witness tells court how Metuh diverted N50m to personal use, tore statement in EFCC office

Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, Abuja was told on Tuesday how the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, diverted N50 million of the N500 million he collected from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), to personal use.
The fifth witness in the trial and an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Junaid Sa’id, said Metuh diverted the money to his account.
Sa’id said Metuh used the sum to purchase property at Banana Island, Lagos.
He also revealed that N366 million and another N150 million were paid into the same account by Kabiru Ibrahim.
While Capital Field Investment Limited paid in N91 million, one Eyitonye paid in N82 million, Sa’id declared.
The money was taken from the $2 million handed over to Nneka Ararume by Metuh.
Of the sum collected, N77.5 million, N25 million and N21.7 million were given to CMC connect, Abba Dabo and Chief Tony Anenih for onward delivery to Chief Kema Chikwe for campaign activities.
Explaining how the PDP Publicity Secretary tore his statement, Sa’id pointed out that during investigation by EFCC officials, Metuh was asked if he was willing to make a written statement, a request which he obliged.
After putting down the statement in four sheets, Sa’id said Metuh handed them to the EFCC officials while the contents were read to him.
He said Metuh endorsed the first and second sheets, but stopped when he reached the third sheet where he indicated that the money he collected from Dasuki 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.