#BBB NEWS| Court Dismisses Olisa Metuh’s Suit Against FG

Justice Okon Abang of the federal high court, Abuja, has ordered Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to pay N20, 000 each to of the six respondents in a fundamental rights suit he filed against the federal government.

‎Metuh had filed the suit in January to challenge the grounds of his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But when the suit was to be heard on Thursday, Abang was “surprised” that neither Metuh nor his lawyer showed up. He wondered why Metuh did not notify the court of his absence.

#BBB NEWS| Metuh Kept N50m Of Dasuki’s N400m For Himself, Says Witness | TheCable

Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took N50m out of the N400m given to him by Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), diverting the money, which was meant for “security services”to personal use.

Junaid Sa’id, a detective at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), made the claim on Tuesday at the resumed court trial of the PDP spokesman.

According to Sa’id, who was testifying against Metuh before Justice Okon Abang of the federal high court, Abuja, Metuh used part of the slush funds – about N500m – received from the office of national security adviser (ONSA) to buy property at Banana Island, Lagos. “Investigation revealed that after payment of N400m by ONSA, a total sum of N366m was paid into the same account by one Kabiru Ibrahim, who also paid in N150m; Capital Field Investment Limited paid in N91m, and one Eyitonye, paid in N82m,” he said. “These funds formed the naira equivalent of $2m, which the first defendant [Metuh] gave to one Nneka Ararume in cash.

#BBB NEWS| Olisa Metuh Freed After Meeting Bail Conditions

The Publicity Secretary for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, was released on bail from Kuje Prison on Thursday.

His release followed his meeting the bail conditions set by the courts hearing his case.

#BBB NEWS| PDP Spokesperson Olisa Metuh Gave Me $2 Million In $100 Bills To Invest – Witness

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday opened its case with two witnesses against the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in the charges of money laundering involving the sum of N400m which he allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014.

The trial commenced before a Federal High Court in Abuja after the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, overruled objection by Metuh’s lead counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) to adjourn the trial.

Ikpeazu also informed the judge on Monday that since Metuh had been unable to meet the bail conditions granted him on January 16, the defence had filed an application for variation of the terms.

He urged the court to adjourn the proceedings as the inability of his client to meet the bail conditions had adverse effect on his preparation for the defense.

The prosecution led by Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application for adjournment and his objection was upheld by the judge.

#BBB NEWS| PDP National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh Handcuffed From Kuje Prison To Court [PHOTOS]

The embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh was brought to the Federal High Court Abuja by the officials of Nigerian Prison Service in a handcuff in his hand amid tight security.

Metuh, who was sent to the prison by the court last week, was in court to push argument for the written bail application which the court directed him to file last week.

The court equally asked the prosecution counsel to respond to the application accordingly. Metuh’s fate will be decided today as to whether he returns to Kuje prison custody over allegations that he defrauded the Nigerian state of N400 million. See more photos below..

#BBB NEWS| DasukiGate: Olisa Metuh Remanded In Kuje Prison [PHOTOS]

Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh is to remain in Kuje prison till Tuesday, January 19, when his bail application would be considered.

The embattled spokesperson and his company, Destra Investments Limited, were today docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice O.E Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a 7-count charge bordering on money laundering, an offence punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012(as amended).

Metuh is alleged to have received N400m (Four hundred million naira) from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) from funds meant for arms procurement.

One of the counts reads:

#BBB NEWS| #Dasukigate: Court Orders Olisa Metuh To Be Remanded In Prison Custody

Embattled spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh was today remanded in prison custody following his arraignment  before a Federal High Court in sitting in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations that he engaged in  N400 million fraud that involved his firm, Destra Investment Limited.

Metuh is standing trial on a 7-count charge brought against him for allegedly diverting and sharing part of the $2.1bn arms purchase funds by a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Metuh, who was arrested on January 5, has been in the custody of the EFCC. During his arraignment today, a bearded Metuh donned a white native dress with matching red cap arrived the court at 9.00am with retinue of his political supporters who came to show solidarity support. Mr. Metuh's supporters began chanting "Free Metuh, Free Metuh, Free Metuh" however they were prevented from gaining access into the court by the security operatives.

After the charges had been read to him in the dock Mr. Metuh pleaded not guilty to the charges.

#BBB NEWS| Metuh To EFCC: I Would Rather Starve Than Refund N400 Million

Detectives have hit a stalemate in their bid to recover the N400 million traced to a company in which Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh has a stake.

He is said to have told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he would rather go on hunger strike than refund the money, which is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion arms cash allegedly diverted at the Office National Security Adviser (ONSA).

EFCC chair Ibrahim Magu, who revealed Metuh’s position yesterday in Lagos, stressed that the war against corruption had just begun.

Speaking during a meeting with online reporters, Magu vowed to bring corrupt elements to justice, explaining that the looting of the nation’s treasury “is mind boggling”.

He said former Military Administrator of Kaduna State Brig.-Gen.Jafaru Isa had refunded N100 million of the N160million he collected from the ONSA.

#BBB NEWS| President Jonathan Responsible For His Defeat – Olisa Metuh

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday exonerated itself from the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election, saying the president failed because he did not carry the party along in his campaign.

Olisa Metuh, the PDP’s national publicity secretary, made the assertion while addressing reporters at the party secretariat in Abuja on Monday. He accused the president and his associates of not only failing to carry the party leadership along but also for ignoring the advice offered by party leaders.

Mr. Metuh specifically blamed the hate campaign by members of the Presidential Campaign Committee for producing the electoral failure of many party candidates.

The publicity secretary disclosed that the PDP spent more than N4 billion to sponsor its candidates in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state legislative elections.