ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday dismissed the no case submission suit filed by the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, over his alleged diversion of funds and held that he has a case to answer.
Justice Okon Abang of the court in his ruling dismissed the application on ground that it was lacking in merit and ordered Metuh to open his defence.
The EFCC had accused Metuh of receiving the sum of N400 million from the former NSA, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, through his company, Destra Investment Ltd.
Metuh in a no-case-submission prayed the court to dismiss the charges against him for want of prima facie evidence.
However, the judge ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has made a prima facie case of money laundering against him and that it’s left for him now to defend himself.
“The prosecution place sufficient material evidence before the court to show that the defendant has a case to answer.
“There are several questions raised that only the 1st defendant can answer because he admitted in the statement he wrote on the november 24,2015 that the sum of N400million was transferred into his account.
“Did he inquire from the bank the source of the money and why it was paid into his account? If he did, what was the response of the bank?
“These are some of the questions that Metuh need to clarify.
“Why did he disburse the fund to PW6 and 7, and also to Chief Tony Anenih? It is my view that only when the 1st defendant answers these questions, that it will be clear if he knew that the transfer of the N400million formed part of illegal proceeds of crime by the former NSA.
“I have only heard from the prosecution and I am satisfied that a prima-facie case has been made out against the defendant.
“There is urgent need for the 1st defendant to tell the court whether indeed he gave the sum of $2million to the PW-1 (Nneka Ararume) to convert to naira equivalent and also the origin of these funds.
“It is my position that the defendant cannot be charged for money laundering if the source of the funds is legitimate”, Justice Abang held.
The judge thereafter dismissed the no-case submission for lacking in merit and ordered the defendant to enter his defence.
The case has been adjourned to March 17.
Credit: Leadership (Nigeria)
