Witness lists more adverts beneficiaries in Metuh’s alleged fraud case

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Richard Ihediwa, the fifth defence witness in the ongoing trial of former National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, resumed his testimony yesterday.

He revealed before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, how Metuh made cash payments to several media houses including major electronic and print outfits in the country, out of the N400 million transferred to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The witness, who gave details of the account during cross-examination by counsel to the second defendant (Destra Investment Limited), Mr. Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), told the court that Metuh paid cash to some of them for advertorials made towards 2015 general elections.

He stated that the media campaign to launder the image of Jonathan became necessary following series of agitations from the North, South-South, South-West and South-East geo-political zones of the country.

“The issue of resource control, infrastructural development and the implementation of the recommendations from the National Conference was threatening in the South-South.

“In the North, there was the issue of insecurity. The agitation led to a lot of demands on the former president and he felt the best way to handle the agitations was through media publicity and public enlightenment rather than the use of the gun or force” he said.

Earlier, a motion filed by Dr. Olugbumi Usim-Wilson seeking the withdrawal of her suretyship for Metuh was heard.

Onwugbufor, who argued the motion on behalf of the second defendant, noted that even though the application was made in bad faith, they would not oppose it.

Describing the development as unfortunate, he told the court that no cogent reason was placed before the court on why she was withdrawing her suretyship and that the practice should not be allowed.

The counsel to the applicant told the court that his client stood as surety voluntarily and the court should allow her to withdraw since she acted in good faith.

He also prayed the court to hold that Metuh would not in any way harass or intimidate the applicant.

JUST IN: Jonathan told Metuh how to share N400m – Witness

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Ihediwa, led in evidence by the counsel to Metuh, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), told the Abuja High Court that Jonathan gave the directive on how the amount was to be spent.

He said that N21m was paid to former PDP Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, for a property acquired for use by the party as its media intervention centre.

He added that although the property, located in Asokoro area of Abuja, did not belong to Anenih, he assisted the PDP media team headed by the accused in securing it.

He said, “The amount covered the cost of hiring the structure, utility vehicles as well as security gadgets at the centre.”

The witness also told the court that various sums were paid to some groups coordinated by some government functionaries, including the late Oronto Douglas and Abbah Dabo.

He said he was not very certain about the amount released to late Douglas, but added that N25m was released to Dabo as mobilisation fee for advocacy groups, in line with the directive.

Ihediwa said the former president also approved different amounts for some other groups and Metuh disbursed the funds to them accordingly.

He said because of the tension and high level of insecurity across the six geo-political regions of the country then, there was the need for government to mobilise various advocacy groups to stabilise the system.

Meanwhile, Justice Okon Abang has reserved ruling for November 15 on applications filed by the defence counsel.

Goodluck Jonathan told Metuh How to Share N400m –Witness

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A witness, Mr. Richard Ihediwa, in the ongoing trial of former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisah Metuh, said on Thursday that the N400m Metuh got was disbursed as directed by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ihediwa, led in evidence by the counsel to Metuh, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), told the Abuja High Court that Jonathan gave the directive on how the amount was to be spent.

He said that N21m was paid to former PDP Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, for a property acquired for use by the party as its media intervention centre.

He added that although the property, located in Asokoro area of Abuja, did not belong to Anenih, he assisted the PDP media team headed by the accused in securing it.

He said, “The amount covered the cost of hiring the structure, utility vehicles as well as security gadgets at the centre.”

The witness also told the court that various sums were paid to some groups coordinated by some government functionaries, including the late Oronto Douglas and Abbah Dabo.

He said he was not very certain about the amount released to late Douglas, but added that N25m was released to Dabo as mobilisation fee for advocacy groups, in line with the directive.

Ihediwa said the former president also approved different amounts for some other groups and Metuh disbursed the funds to them accordingly.

Meanwhile, Justice Okon Abang has reserved ruling for November 15 on applications filed by the defence counsel.

Ekweremadu agrees to stand surety for Metuh over alleged N400m fraud

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, who is facing trial over alleged N400million fraud, on Monday, prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja to allow the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to stand surety for him.

Metuh is answering to a seven-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and his firm, Destra Investment Limited.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants had prior to the 2015 presidential election, received N400m from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, without executing any contract.

It said the fund which was released to Metuh and his firm by the erstwhile NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd,? ?was part of about $2.1billion earmarked for the purchase of arms to fight insurgency in the North East.

Meanwhile, at the resumed sitting on Monday, Metuh, through his lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, notified the court of his intention to use Ekweremadu as one of his sureties.

He made the application on a day his former surety, Dr. Olugbumi Usim-Wilson, also applied to withdraw his services.

Sheriff, Metuh In Court Today To Stop PDP Convention

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Ali Modu Sheriff-faction of the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party is to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday (today) to argue its application for an interlocutory injunction seeking to stop the party from going ahead with its planned national convention scheduled to hold on August 17.

The nine plaintiffs said they filed the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2016 for themselves and on behalf of the Executive Committee/National Working Committee of the PDP.

They are Sheriff as the National Chairman; Prof. Wale Oladapo (National Secretary); Dennis Alonge-Niyi (Deputy National Youth Leader); Alhaji Bashir Maidugu (Deputy National Legal Advier); Mrs. Hanatu Ulam (Deputy National Women Leader); Alhaji Lawa Dutsima Anchi (Deputy National Auditor); Chief Okey Nnadozie (Deputy National Organising Secretary); and Chief Olia Metuh (National Publicity Secretary).
The suit has only the Independent National Electoral Commission and the PDP as the defendants.

The plaintiffs had filed the substantive suit on July 4, 2016, contending that that by virtue of the PDP’s Constitution, they must remain in office till 2018.

They urged the court to declare all moves aimed at removing, replacing or conducting fresh elections into their offices as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

The Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the party had on July 14 announced August 17 as the date for the party’s national convention when election would be held to fill the positions of national officers of the PDP.

The Sherriff faction therefore on July 20 filed an interlocutory application asking the court to stop the party from going ahead with the planned national convention pending the determination of their substantive suit.

The court presided over by Justice Okon Abang on Tuesday granted the plaintiffs order to have their case heard during the Federal High Court’s ongoing vacation.

The judge in granting the plaintiff’s ex parte motion on Tuesday, held that ordinarily, a part-heard suit could not be heard during vacation without the consent of all parties, but he decided to give room for the hearing because of its urgency.

Credit: Punch

Metuh Wrote EFCC, Ready To Return N400m – Counsel

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Olisa Metuh’s lead defence counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), has said his client has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that he is willing to return the N400m he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November, 2014.

Metuh is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly receiving the money, which the prosecution alleged was collected from the $2.1bn arms funds allegedly diverted by the former NSA’s office to other purposes aside from buying arms to fight insurgency.

The money was said to have been released to him to launder the alleged bad image of former President Goodluck Jonathan a few months to the 2015 presidential election which Jonathan eventually lost.

Metuh lost his bid at the FCT High Court to secure his passport to enable him to travel abroad for a check-up.

Ikpeazu, in a telephone interview on Thursday, said Metuh had always indicated to the EFCC that he was willing to return the money right from when the anti-graft agency invited him for questioning before charges were filed against him.

The lawyer said he advised Metuh after his trial began before a Federal High Court in Abuja to write a letter to the EFCC, indicating his intention to return the N400m, which he stated the former PDP spokesperson heeded.

He insisted that Metuh initially thought the money came from former President Goodluck Jonathan but readily indicated to return the money as soon as the EFCC made him to realise the money was from the ONSA.

Credit: Punch

N400m Scam: Metuh’s No Case Submission Fails At Appeal Court

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Court of Appeal on Wednesday in Abuja upheld Federal High Court’s ruling which dismissed Olisa Metuh’s no case submission.
Metuh, a National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is standing trial on an alleged N400 million money laundering which he pleaded not guilty.
In their judgment, Justice Abdul Aboki-led two other justices, held that the appeal lacked merit.
Aboki said the trial court in Abuja led by Justice Okon Abang , was right in rejecting the no case submission.
“Having gone through the merit of the case, which includes the charge sheet, the court remains convinced that a prima facie has been already established.
“It is therefore our view that the applicant has some questions to answer given the nature of the offence.
“The court is much concerned with the action of the applicant when the sum of N400 million was transferred to his Diamond Plc., account,” Aboki said.
According to him, without attempting to go into the merit of the case, the trial court did raise some rhetorical questions around the transaction.
“What did the applicant do when he first noticed that his account was credited with such huge sum of money
“Whether Metuh alerted the Bank Manager or even reported the transaction to the police.
“Whether the applicant was aware of the source of the money to have come from the Office of the National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki,’’ Aboki said.
The judge, however, said the above questions and many more others raised in the charge required answers to be provided to them by the applicant.
“This appeal is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit.’’
Aboki also threw out similar appeal filed by Destra Investment Limited against the decision of the trial court.
Metuh and his company are being tried on a seven-count charge.
At the completion of the prosecution’s case in April, rather than open their case, the defence entered a no case submission.
While the prosecuting Counsel, Mr Sylvanu Tahir, contended that a prima facie case had been established, the defence Counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), objected.
They challenged the lower court’s reasoning in rejecting the application.

(NAN)

Court Rejects Metuh’s Request To Travel Abroad For Treatment

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed an application by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Olisa Metuh, asking for the release of his passport to enable travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

Justice Okon Abang in rejecting the request in a ruling, held that the court lacked jurisdiction to order the release of Metuh’s passport having earlier directed that it should be deposited with the Chief Registrar of the Court throughout the period of the PDP spokesperson’s ongoing trial.

“The law is settled and required no restatement that when a court has made an order, the court lacks jurisdiction to set aside the order or vary the order,” Justice Abang ruled.

Justice Abang also ruled that the prosecution – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – having expressed fear that Metuh could jump bail, “the court must be very careful in deciding such complex application.”

“What the court needs to do is to balance the conflicting rights of parties,” the judge ruled.

He ruled that Metuh failed to adduce any evidence that his spinal cord-related ailment which he sought to treat at London Royal Hospital could not be treated in any of the nation’s teaching hospitals and the new hospital in Akwa Ibom State, which he said had been adjudged to be of international standard.

He held that Metuh could not ask for the release of his passport as of right without placing sufficient materials before the court.

The judge ruled, “This is not a sentimental issue. This is not the issue of sympathy. It is purely an issue of the law.

“Chief Olisa Metuh cannot casually apply for the release of his passport as of right.

“Chief Olisa Metuh filed the application as if it is a simple matter. It is not a simple matter.”

Credit: Punch

Metuh Admitted In Hospital, Lawyer Tells Court

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Olisa Metuh, was absent from his ongoing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.

Upon an inquiry by the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, about Metuh’s whereabouts, his lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), said the defendant was on a bed rest at the National Hospital, Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Metuh and his company, Destra Investments Limited, on charges including fraudulent collection of N400m from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014 and using same for PDP’s presidential campaign.

Metuh and Destra Investments Limited are also being tried on charges of money laundering involving alleged cash transaction of $2m.

Justice Abang had on Monday adjourned till Tuesday for the continuation of the testimony of the fifth defence witness, Mr. Richard Ihediwa.

After intimating the judge on why Metuh was absent from court, Ikpeazu passed to the court registrar a medical report signed by a neurosurgeon consultant in the hospital, Dr. O.O Olaleye, confirming that Metuh was in the hospital for a bed rest.

The lawyer, who sought an adjournment of the case, said the situation in section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, in which the judge is allowed to proceed with a criminal trial without the defendant present in court, had not arisen.

The provision of the law provides that the court may proceed with a criminal trial if a defendant already granted bail is absent from court in violation of a court order or in the absence any good reason for the absence of the defendant.

?Destra’s lawyer, Tochukwu Nwugbufor (SAN), had supported the request for adjournment insisting that by virtue of the provisions of section 352(4) of the ACJ Act, the court could never proceed with the trial in Metuh’s absence.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, also did not oppose the application for adjournment but also referred the court to section 266(a) and (b) of the ACJ Act which makes it mandatory for a defendant to be present in court whenever his trial comes up.

The judge, in a ruling, which he delivered after entertaining the submission of parties to the case, noted that though Metuh had good reason to be absent from court, the medical report was unhelpful, as it failed to indicate the period which the bed rest would last.

The judge said the omission of the period for the bed rest in the medical report had left doubt to whether the report was issued in bad faith.

The judge conceded to the request for adjournment and fixed May 30 for continuation of trial.

Justice Abang also fixed Wednesday (tomorrow) for ruling on an application by Metuh seeking the release of his passport to enable him travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

Court To Rule On Metuh’s Request For International Passport On May 25

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A Federal High Court on Monday fixed May 25 for ruling on PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh, request for his international passport to travel to United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Metuh was arraigned by the EFCC on charges bordering on allegations of diverting N400 million funds meant fighting insurgency in the North-East from the former National Security Adviser retired Col. Sambo Dasuki.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Okon Abang, adjourned ruling in the matter to enable him acquaint himself with the relevant sections of the law regarding the release of applicant passport.
At the resumed hearing of the case, Metuh’s Counsel, Mr Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), told the court that he filed a motion for the release of his client’s international passport.
Ikpeazu argued that the applicant`s health conditions had deteriorated and need urgent medical care abroad.
He, therefore, urged the court to exercise its jurisdiction and vary the bail condition by releasing the applicant`s passport.
The defence lawyer also informed the court that he obtained a copy of medical report from the National Hospital, Abuja, which recommended the applicant to travel to London Hospital.
Opposing the application, the EFCC counsel Mr Sylvanus Tahir, said that the defence must be specific in their application.
Tahir argued that the court must take cognizance of whether varying the order could not contravened the earlier order of the court which retained the applicant`s passport.
He also said that the medical report tendered by the defence ought to be certified since it was a document coming from public institution.
The EFCC counsel also argued that the document did not suggest that the ailment could not be treated in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged the court to refused the application, saying that there was no credible evidence to warrant the grant of the application.
The judge however adjourned ruling in the application till May 25.

(NAN)

Metuh Hospitalized After Vomitting, Case Adjourned

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, has been admitted at the National Hospital after throwing up.

Metuh had been scheduled to appear before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja for the continuation of his trial for money laundering.

However, his counsel, Emeka Etiaba, told the court that the PDP spokesperson was ill and sought the adjournment of the trial.

Consequently, the judge adjourned the case to May 23.

Online newspaper, The Cable, reported that the PDP spokesperson vomited repeatedly on his way to court. It quoted a source as saying his condition was serious.

Metuh had been taken to the National Hospital late April after he fell at PDP secretariat in Abuja.

He had been about to take his seat for a meeting of the National Working Committee of the Party when he slipped.

He had complained of serious back ache before the incident occurred.

Credit: Punch

How Jonathan Paid N400m Into Metuh’s Corporate Account- Witness

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A defence witness in the ongoing trial of the National Publicity Secretary, People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ), Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday narrated how former President Goodluck Jonathan paid N400 million into Metuh’s account.

The witness, a columnist with The New Telegraph Newspaper, Mr. Ike Abonyi, told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the former president had asked for Metuh’s account details to enable him to transfer money for the image laundering of the party and himself.

The counsel to the first defendant, Tochukwu Onwubufo (SAN), had asked the court for a short adjournment to enable him to study the brief. He said the constitution still allows for adjournments, though not more than 30 days at a time.

But Justice Okon Abang said the application for adjournment orally made by the counsel to the second defendant would not stop the day’s proceeding, which was for the first defendant to open his defence.

Abang said: “Having considered the oral application by counsel to the second defendant as well as the argument by the prosecution counsel, I need to say that I have decided that the only issue was the relevance of Section 3493 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which came as a new issue on his application for adjournment.

“The law is such that once the court has decided on an issue, no party can drag the court back on the same issue. Having ruled that the second defendant was not entitled to adjournment, I cannot reverse the decision and he cannot raise the issue again before this court.

“Section 3493 should be read subject to Section 3492 and as such, the section cannot be of assistance to the second defendant.

“However, in the overall interest of justice, the court will take the interest of the second defendant into consideration at the end of the proceedings.

“The court will take the defence of the first defendant and later adjourn at the instance of the second defendant”, the judge said.

At that instance, the first defendant witness was called to the witness box. Abonyi told the court that he was invited by Metuh to work with him as a public relations consultant when it was obvious that the PDP needed to enhance its image and that of its leadership.

According to him, a consulting firm, CMC Connect was also engaged by Metuh for its skills having worked for the party in the past.

Credit: ngrguardian

Court Dismisses Metuh’s Suit Trying To Stop His Trial

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Fundamental Rights Enforcement suit filed against the EFCC by the National spokesperson of PDP, Olisa Metuh, has been dismissed by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The judge dismissed the suit at its hearing this morning March 9th. Metuh had filed the suit challenging his arrest and detention by EFCC over his alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal.

Metuh asked the court to make a declaration that his arrest on January 5th was unlawful as there was
no warrant of arrest issued by any court. Metuh also argued that his detention by EFCC for 10 days without being charged to court violated his rights. He asked the court to stop EFCC from further arresting him.

Dismissing Metuh’s suit, the presiding judge, Justice Abang held that EFCC had the constitutional powers to arrest and detain him. Justice Abang stressed that his arrest was lawful as it was granted by a Chief Magistrate court. He thereafter dismissed the suit for lacking in merit and awarded a cost of N15, 000 against Metuh.

Arms Scam: Court To Rule On Metuh’s No-Case-Submission On March 9

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Staff Reporter

he Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday reserved ruling till March 9 on a no-case-submission filed by Olisa Metuh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr. Metuh filed a no-case-submission in the alleged Money Laundering charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge, Okon Abang, reserved the date after counsel to the parties adopted their written addresses.

Mr. Abang said that the court’s mandate to either give ruling or deliver judgment on the motion would depend on the merit of the submissions.

“In the circumstance, the court can only rule if the motion fails and if the motion succeeds the court can only deliver judgment,’’ He said.

He said if the motion failed, the defendants would open their cases. Defendants would be acquitted if the case succeeded, however, he advised.

He adjourned till March 9.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Dasukigate: Metuh, Wife Bought N500m Property In Banana Island– Witness

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A prosecution witness, Junaid Sai’d, on Tuesday told Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, bought N500m property in Lagos.

Mr. Sa’id said the money was allegedly transferred to Daniel Ford International Limited in two tranches of N200m and N300m for the purpose of buying a landed property at Banana Island, Lagos.

Mr. Metuh is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly receiving N400million from a former NSA, Sambo Dasuki, who is facing trial for his involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal.

Mr. Sa’id, a member of the team that investigated the case, gave a blow-by-blow account of the activities carried out since the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) petitioned the commission, which include the following: a correspondence with Diamond Bank Plc to obtain the mandate and statement of accounts for Destra Investment Ltd; correspondences with other banks to obtain mandates and statements of accounts of individuals and companies relevant to the case as well as letters to ONSA and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

According to him, responses from the CBN and ONSA confirmed that the former was given the mandate to pay N400m to Destra Investment Limited for the purpose of security services.

Credit: PremiumTimes

News Alert!! Arms deal: ‘Metuh Got $2m In Fresh $47m Shared By Dasuki’ – EFCC Investigator

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Staff Reporter

An investigator of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Junaid Sa’aid on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh might have received extra $2 million from former National Security Adviser (NSA) retired Col. Sambo Dasuki.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Junaid Sa’aid, was asked under cross examination by defence counsel Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) whether Metuh received any amount, beside the N400m his company Destra Investment Ltd got from Dasuki. He replied that investigation showed that Dasuki on November 27, 2014 withdrew N10 billion from the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) and converted it to $47 million and shared it during the party’s national convention.

“My lord, the $2million given to Nneka Ararume four days later, is strongly linked to that disbursement,” he said.

Details coming…

Source – www.dailytrust.com.ng

Court Varies Metuh’s Bail Condition

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday varied the bail condition granted the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on January 19, 2016. This is even as a witness, Iniobong Effiong, a staff of Diamond Bank and an account officer to Metuh’s company, Destra Investments Limited, told the court that a credit of N400 million was made to the account by the former NSA. With the variation, Metuh has now been allow to provide two sureties with property valued at N200m in any part of Abuja. Metuh had through his counsel, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) while arguing the application urged the court to vary the bail condition on ground that the defendant had found it difficult to meet the term. In his ruling, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, granted part of Metuh’s application for variation of the bail conditions.

Metuh was earlier required by the bail term to produce two sureties with landed property located strictly in the Maitama area of Abuja. While the bail sum of N400 million and other attached contomer due diligence, provide appropriate penalties and expand the scope of supervisory bodies, while recognising the role of certain self- regulatory organisations to address the challenges faced in the implementation of comprehensive anti-money laundering regime in Nigeria. Also, the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill 2016, is seeking to facilitate the provision of obtaining by Nigeria international assistance on criminal matters. Such assistance, according to the President, include the provision and obtaining of evidence, making of arrangements for persons to give evidence or assist in criminal investigations. ditions remain, Metuh’s proposed sureties, who the court insisted must be resident in Abuja, could now be owners of property with valid title documents “in any district of the Federal Capital Territory”.

However, the court refused Metuh’s prayer to remove the bail condition directing the prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, to within 24 hours of being notified, verify the addresses of the proposed sureties and the certificates of occupancy of the property to be presented by them. The court also refused the second leg of Metuh’s application to discard with the prosecution counsel filing his objection on his findings in respect to the term within 24 hours earlier given him to do so. Although, the judge upheld Etiaba’s request that Tahir’s submissions on the issue be expunged from the court’s records, he said, “I think the first defendant (Metuh) is asking for what is not legally permissible.”

Credit: DailyTimes

Metuh’s Firm Among 78 Paid For Doing Nothing – NSA’s Office

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Staff Reporter

An official of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mr. Bali Ndam, on Tuesday narrated to a Federal High Court in Abuja the processes leading to the charges of money laundering and fraudulent receipt of the sum of N400m from the ONSA in November 2014, preferred against the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh.

Ndam, a Legal Adviser at the ONSA, who appeared before Justice Okon Abang as the third prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday, said the incumbent NSA, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, sent a petition dated November 28, 2015 to the commission over “payment of contracts without award”.

Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said “a list of companies and individuals about 78 in number” was attached to the NSA’s petition to the EFCC.

He said he could “vividly remember” that Metuh’s firm, Destra Investments Limited, with whom the PDP spokesperson is standing trial, was among the 78 beneficiaries of the allegedly ?fraudulent payment.

But an attempt by the prosecution to tender the petition and other documents, including the electronic mandate issued by the ONSA to the Controller of the Abuja branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria for payments in favour of the 78 beneficiaries, was opposed by the defence counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN).

The judge is currently writing his bench ruling on the objection raised by the defence against the admisibility of the documents.

Metuh, who has a pending application for variation of the conditions of bail granted him by the court was also produced in court on handcuffs by prison officials on Tuesday.

The court has fixed tomorrow, Wednesday for the hearing of the application for variation of the bail terms, which his lawyer said he had laboured unsuccessfully to meet.

The EFCC is prosecuting Metuh and his company, Destra Investments Limited, on seven counts of money laundering and fraudulent receipt of N400m meant for procurement of arms from from the Office of the NSA on November 22, 2014, and used the funds for the PDP’s campaign activities.

The prosecution alleged that the N400m from which Metuh was said to have given about N21m to a former Chairman, Board of Trustee of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, was “part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity” of the immediate past NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

The prosecution, led by Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, opened its case on Monday by calling two witnesses – an employee of a financial services firm, Asset and Resource Management Company Limited, Nneka Ararume, and a bureau de change operator, Sie Iyenome.

While Ararume testified on how she received a $2m cash from Metuh at his home in Abuja on December 2, 2014, Iyenome narrated to the court his role in converting the sum $1m part of the total sum of $2m

How We Helped Metuh Exchange $2million- Witnesses

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Two witnesses brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have told the court how the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, and his company, Dextra Investments Limited, transferred the sum of $2million allegedly collected from the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

The first prosecution witness, Nneka Ararume, a wealth manager dealing in management of equities, fixed income instruments and real estate, said she collected the sum of $2million dollars from Mr. Metuh sometime in December 2014.

She said she changed the dollars into Nigerian currency and had it transferred to Mr. Metuh’s account.

The second witness, a bureau de change operator, said he had the sum of $1 million dollars exchanged to N183 million and transferred to the account of Dextra Investments Limited.

He however said he had no knowledge of either Mr. Metuh or his company, Dextra investment Limited, before that time.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Metuh Pleads Not Guilty To Destruction Of Evidence Charges

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama in Abuja, on charges bordering on destruction of evidence.

Metuh, who allegedly destroyed his statement which he made under caution to the operatives of the EFCC, pleaded not guilty to the two counts.

The offences were said to be contrary to sections 166 and 326 of the Penal Code Act.

Credit: Punch

Ehi Akpata: The Trials Of Olisa Metuh

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Staff Reporter

It was recently reported that the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello, had ordered Magistrates in the FCT to stop granting remand orders to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This order may be connected to the policy of EFCC of securing warrants from magistrates to detain suspects beyond the 48 hours allowed by law. This was the move adopted by the EFCC to enable it detain the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh in its custody pending the conclusion of its investigation or his proper arraignment. The EFCC claims to have obtained a valid court order to detain Olisa Metuh for 14 days. Many Nigerians have expressed their views on this development and as usual most views on the issue are split along sentimental lines. You might have pitched your tent with one side or the other but let’s see what the law actually says.

The purpose of this article is to address the issue of the validity or otherwise of the order of the Abuja Chief Judge to magistrates in line with the extant laws on such issues. Section 293 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which provides that, “A suspect arrested for an offence which a magistrate Court has no jurisdiction to try shall within a reasonable time of arrest be brought before a Magistrate Court for remand.” Such a remand order once granted shall be for a period not exceeding 14 days in the first instance, and the case shall be returnable within the same period. A suspect affected by such a remand order is entitled to apply for bail before the Magistrate Court or proceed to the High Court to apply for the enforcement of his fundamental right to personal liberty.

The validity of this practice has been upheld by the Nigerian Supreme Court (the highest court of the land) in the case of Mrs. E. A. Lufadeju v. Evang. Johnson (2007) 8 NWLR (PT 1037) P. 535. The law in Nigeria appears to be quite clear as it affects the powers of Magistrate Courts to grant remand orders. I humbly submit that these provisions of the law as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in Lufadeju’s case cited above makes the directive of the Learned Chief Judge to Magistrates to be of no effect in law. The only lawful way to strip Magistrates of this power would have to be by Legislative amendment of the existing laws. It is therefore safe to conclude that if the EFCC obtained a remand order to detain Olisah Metuh then his detention by the EFCC was lawful and not a violation of his rights under s. 35 of the Constitution.

P.S. as at the time of writing this article, Chief Olisa Metuh has been charged to court by the EFCC and has been remanded in custody at Kuje Prison pending his bail application hearing.

Ehi Akpata, a lawyer, writes from Benin City. He tweets from @mcspella

Views expressed are solely that of author and does not represent views of www.omojuwa.com nor its associates

PDP In Fresh Crisis As National Officers Ask Mohammed, Metuh, Secondus To Step Down

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Staff Reporter

There appears to be a fresh round of crisis in Nigeria’s major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, with some elected national officers calling on the acting chairman of the board of trustees, Bello Mohammed and the national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, to step down from their offices.

The call, which was made in a statement signed by four of the national officers, which they also said represented the views of all deputy national officers and some members of the National Executive Committee of the party, was sequel to the ongoing trial of Messrs. Mohammed and Metuh over corruption allegations.

Messrs Metuh and Mohammed are being tried for receiving monies from the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, out of the $2.1 billion meant for arms procurement but which was diverted to political spending.

The statement, made available on Monday, was signed by Dennis Alonge-Niyi, the deputy national youth leader; Bashir Maidugu, the deputy national legal adviser; Okey Nnaedozie, the deputy national organizing secretary and Abdullahi Jalo, the deputy national publicity secretary.

The national officers called on all relevant members and organs of the party to rescue it “from fortune hunters who have hijacked its very soul.”

They said, “We hereby strongly dissociate the Peoples Democratic Party from the ongoing trials of Dr. Bello Halliru Mohammed ( Acting Chairman of Board of Trustees) and Chief Olisa Metuh ( National Publicity Secretary) on various charges anti graft agencies.

“They are said to have received funds using accounts of their private companies without the knowledge and instructions of any organ of the party. All those mentioned in the ongoing corruption trial are, therefore, on their own and the party was not involved financially or in anyway with the office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, or any organ of the federal government in the last regime.

“They must bear full responsibility for their actions and must henceforth refrain from dragging the name of the party into the mud.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

Court Remands Metuh In Kuje Prison

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A federal High Court in Abuja has remanded the spokesman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, in prison following his ‘not guilty’ plea to a seven-count charge of corruption and money laundering.

Mr Metuh appeared in court on Friday, days after he was arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the charges.

According to the charges, the PFP spokesman transferred the sum of $1 million through his agent, Nneka Nicole Ararume, to one Sie Iyenome of Capital Field Investment, committing an offense contrary to Section One of the Money Laundering Act.

He is also accused of receiving the sum of 400 million Naira from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, without a contract contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

Mr Metuh, is also accused of converting the said money to funds for political activities of the People’s Democratic Party.

He pleaded not guilty to the accusations.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Lawyer Withdraws Suit Seeking Metuh’s Release From EFCC’s Custody

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a Lagos-based lawyer, has announced the withdrawal of a suit he instituted against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) seeking the release of the national publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, from the custody of the Commission.

Adegboruwa, on Monday, filed the suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos, alleging that Metuh’s fundamental rights have been violated.

Metuh was arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on January 5, 2016, in his house in Abuja and he has been kept in custody ever since, without access to his family, lawyers or doctors.

In the suit filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Adegboruwa contended that under Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, the EFCC had exceeded the maximum time allowed by law for detention of a citizen, without trial in any court.

Credit: Guardian

PDP Reps Give 48 Hours Ultimatum For Metuh’s Release

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives on Tuesday demanded the release of the party’s National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh.

Metuh has been under detention for more than a week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly collecting N400 million from the $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram, which the commission is investigating.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the PDP Reps led by their leader Leo Ogor said Metuh’s continued detention was a breach of the rule of law and demanded that the EFCC should either release him on administrative bail within the next 48 hours or take him to a “competent court of law.”

Ogor said failure to do so would leave them with no option than to follow all democratic processes on the matter, including going international if need be.

Credit: DailyTrust

Metuh Sues FG, Seeks Release From Detention

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The detained National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Monday filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit before a Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking his immediate release from custody.

Metuh had since January 5, 2016 been taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for questioning for allegedly benefiting from the $2.1bn arms funds allegedly diverted by a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

The EFCC believed that Metuh received N400m of the allegedly diverted arms funds, but the PDP spokesperson had reportedly claimed that the sum was for an undisclosed service he rendered to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

On Monday, Metuh claimed in the suit he filed through his lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, that his arrest was part of the grand plan of the ruling All Progressives Congress to silence the opposition and make Nigeria a one-party country.

Credit: Punch

Arrested Metuh On Hunger Strike Over Food Poisoning Scare– Family

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Olisa Metuh’s family has denied that the spokesperson of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, received N1.4 billion from the office of the National Security Adviser.

Mr. Metuh was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, on allegations of corruption, and remained in detention by Wednesday evening.

In a statement signed by Gilbert Metuh, Wednesday, the family demanded that Mr. Metuh be released or charged to court.

The statement said the PDP spokesman acknowledged he delivered on an assignment for former President Goodluck Jonathan, and was duly paid.

The family said Mr. Metuh has refused to eat in detention over fears he might be poisoned.

“Our biggest concern for now is the health and safety of our son, who even before his arrest had alerted the nation about various threats to his life, a stance that is not unconnected to his position as the spokesperson of the opposition,” the statement said.

“Our position is more so as he has refused to eat following fears of intentions to poison him in detention.”

Credit: PremiumTimes

EFCC Hasn’t Invited Me – Metuh

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Staff Reporter

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, has said he has yet to be invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

Metuh is alleged to be under investigation for allegedly collecting about N400m from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.).

The money was alleged to be part of the funds meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the fight against Boko Haram in North-East.

Metuh had agreed that he collected undisclosed sum of money from former President Goodluck Jonathan.

But he said he got the undisclosed amount from carrying out unspecific work as the spokesperson for the PDP for the former President.

Metuh, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Mr. Richard Ihediwa in Abuja on Monday, said he was being tried by the media.

Rather than being invited, he said he had been reading it in the newspapers about the alleged crime he was being investigated for.

He wondered why he would be reading about his impending questioning on the pages of newspapers.

The statement said, “This office wishes to state categorically that the EFCC has never invited the National Publicity Secretary nor questioned him on any matter whatsoever since its inception.

“If indeed, the report (about his investigation) is from the EFCC, then they should note that only in a period of tyranny are people investigated on the pages of the newspapers as a prelude for abuse and violation of their freedom and rights under the law.

“It is instructive to observe that a mere media campaign of calumny does not in anyway whatsoever translate to any evidence of guilt.

“It is rather an evidence of infringement on the rights of the citizenry and manifestation of the reign of tyranny.”

Metuh said that in a democratic and civilized country, where there are issues that require investigations by such agencies, invitations are duly extended to those concerned.

However, he said it was sad to read daily of people being investigated in select newspapers.

This, he added, betrayed plots to portray them as guilty of fraud and crime, and targeted to convey the PDP as a corrupt party and the All Progressives Congress as party of Nigerians without sin.

He added that, “If we now have a system where citizens get to be investigated, tried and executed by planting stories in select newspapers, wherein then lies the need for our judicial process?

“Finally, we do hope that all concerned will be guided by due process at all times.”

Rebuilding PDP Not Easy, Says Metuh

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said it is not easy to rebuild the party.

It also said that since the party lost power for the first time since 1999, it was meeting a stiff opposition within the party on how to rebuild it.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday.

Metuh, nevertheless, said he was confident that the forces working against the rebuilding of the party within its fold and outside would fail.

He said, “We have been rebuilding, but it is not easy. We are rebuilding, but there are different forces, and contending interests (working against it). It is not easy.

“On one hand, we are dealing with a ruthless ruling party, and we also have some divisive elements in our party who are genuinely accepting some influence in the administration of the party.

“Knowingly or unknowingly, they are embarking on distractions and distractions that would rather be in the interest of the ruling party than our growth.”

He said that since the party lost the general elections, it had tried to remain focus and play the role of an opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

As the spokesperson for the opposition party, Metuh regretted that some members of his party wanted him to be abusing the President (Muhammadu Buhari) with the hope that that action would boost the image of the PDP.

He said the APC did not win the elections by merely abusing former President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that some actions of the members of the PDP then helped in adding to the fortune of the APC.

He said, “But since we lost the election, we have tried to remain focus and retain the support of a very large number of our members to remain focus in opposing this government.

“Some of our members misconstrue an opposition party to be a party that insults people because that was what the APC was doing.

“People want us to insult the President and the ruling party to remain in opposition. Because we are not doing that, our people are not comfortable with that.

“They believe that we are too soft and they believe that we are too academic. They want us to be insulting the people. It was not by insulting the former President that gave the APC victory.

“We fuelled partisan support for the APC in some part of the country. ”

On the rumour that members of the outgoing National Working Committee of the party had shared offices ahead of the March 19 national conventions, Metuh said the allegation was unfounded.

Metuh Speaks Up On Arms Deal Money

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Staff Reporter

National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday raised the alarm of an alleged plot by the Federal Government to implicate him in its ongoing investigation of alleged diversion of $2.1 billion arms purchase into presidential campaign.

Former National Security Adviser (SA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), and others are accused of disbursing the money to some top government officials and companies. They are facing trial presently.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Metuh said he collected money from former President Goodluck Jonathan “to carry out some assignment relating to my office and which he (Jonathan) duly funded.” He denied any dealings with the immediate past Federal Government or any of its security apparatus.

Metuh, who refused to take questions from newsmen, did not disclose the amount Jonathan gave him and the nature of the assignment.

Credit: Sun

FG Planning To Silence Me, Claims Metuh

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Apparently fearing his date with the cold arms of the law, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh has cried out over an alleged move by the Federal Government to persecute him.

Metuh failed to give reasons for his claim that the government was after him, but made a veil reference to the ongoing wave of arrests of some of his colleagues in the PDP over monies received from the office of the National Security Adviser.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the PDP spokesman alleged that he had been “hounded, harassed, intimidated and threatened severally” in the last seven months for voicing out the view of the opposition.

He said the apparatus of government should not be used as an instrument to settle scores, adding that he never had any contract dealings with the immediate past Federal Government or any of its security apparatus.

“In the last seven months, as opposition spokesperson, I have been hounded, harassed, intimidated and threatened severally. In order to avoid personal and family pressure, I had refrained from bringing them to the public domain,” he said.

Credit: ThisDay

Probe Fundings For APC, PDP’s Presidential Campaigns, Metuh Challenges Buhari

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday challenged the President Muhammadu Buhari led government to set up a National Truth Commission where politicians and other Nigerians would publicly discuss the true meaning of corrupt practices in the country.

The opposition party while reiterating its support for the anti-corruption crusade, however called for investigation into the source of funding of the PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) 2015 Presidential campaigns as well as presidential security votes since 1984.

It also called for investigation into the contributions from APC controlled state governors for their presidential campaign as well as allegations that some serving ministers were appointed to cover up the slush fund that they provided to finance the APC presidential campaign.

It however noted that until top officials of the former government open up on the exact source of the funding, it remains premature to be accusing their party members of corrupt practices.

The arrest of former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, over use of funds supposedly meant for procurement of weapons to fight insurgency, have led to arrests of prominent persons who benefitted from the largesse.

Credit: Leadership

Kogi: PDP Demands Resignation Of AGF, INEC Chairman, Calls For Emergency Caucus Meeting

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has demanded immediate resignation of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Malam Abubakar Malami and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh who briefed newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, also rejected INEC’s call on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace its governorship candidate for the Kogi poll.

He said that the AGF should vacate his office for “hurrying and misleading’’ INEC into arriving at an “unconstitutional decision’’ to allow the APC substitute its candidate in the inconclusive Kogi election.

Metuh said that PDP was ‘shocked’ that INEC could allow itself to succumb to the antics of unlawful directive of the AGF to substitute a candidate in the middle of the ballot process.

He said: “We are all aware of the two legal documents guiding INEC in the conduct of elections; the Constitution and the Electoral Act have provisions for electoral exigencies.

“The legal documents also empower the electoral body to fully take responsibility for any of its actions or inaction without undue interference from any quarters whatsoever.

“We are therefore at a loss as to which sections of these two relevant laws INEC and the AGF relied on in arriving at their bizarre decision.

“Bizarre decision to substitute a dead candidate in an on-going election even after the timelines for such has lapsed under all the rules.’’

Metuh said that the PDP was taken aback why INEC, a statutory body with full complements of technical hands in its legal department would wait for directives of external party on the matter.

“Consequently, the PDP rejected in its entirety, the move to circumvent the laws and ambush the yet-to-be concluded election by introducing a practice that is completely alien to the constitution and the electoral act.

“The clear implication of this action of the AGF and INEC is that the APC would be fielding two different governorship candidates in the on-going Kogi election.

“This means that INEC would be transferring votes cast for late Prince Abubakar Audu to another candidate, scenarios that have no place in the constitution of the land,’’ he said.

Metuh said that since the PDP in respect for the dead, had since Sunday refrained from making comments on the Kogi election, the party could no longer maintain such in the face of the ‘barefaced attack’ on Nigeria’s democracy.

He said that INEC under the leadership of Yakubu had shown itself as ‘partisan, morally bankrupt and obviously incapable’ of conducting a credible election.

“In view of the foregoing therefore, the PDP demands the immediate resignation of the INEC chairman.

“The call is important as the nation’s democracy cannot afford to be left in the hands of an electoral umpire that cannot exert its independence and the sanctity of the electoral process.’’

He said that the PDP National Working Committee had summoned an emergency National Caucus meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 25 to take decision on the “obvious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.’’

(NAN)

Defamation: Court Orders Service On Metuh

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A Lagos High Court, sitting at Ikeja, yesterday, ordered that the court process in a N500 million defamation suit filed by the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, be served on the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Olisa Metuh.

The court presided by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye gave the order after listening to the claimant’s lawyer, Wahab Shittu. She ordered the service of all processes including the motion for interlocutory injunction on the defendant. Consequently, the matter has been adjourned to November 17 for report of service and/or the hearing of the pending applications for interlocutory injunction filed by the claimant.

It would be recalled that the APC spokesperson slammed a N500 million suit on Metuh over alleged defamation of his character and person. In the suit, Mohammed claimed to have been defamed by a press release allegedly authored and circulated on September 20 by Metuh.

He disclosed that the PDP spokesperson had in the statement accused him of embezzling funds meant for fencing an airport in one of the APC-controlled states in the South-West. He also claimed that Metuh accused him of diverting money he collected to supply ambulances to one APC-controlled state in the South-West.

Metuh had, in the statement, allegedly wondered where Mohammed got the courage to speak on corruption when indeed the APC spokesman had mastered the art of corruption having been “a personal aide to one of the most corrupt politicians to ever bestride the political space of the country.”

Credit: NigerianPilot

Anti-Graft War: Adesina, Metuh Intensify Verbal Battle

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Staff Reporter

National Publicity Secretary of the main opposition party, Olisa Metuh yesterday sustained his verbal spat with presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, when he accused him of being ignorant of politics and governance. Adesina quickly replied Metuh that he’s a broken record, which he (Adesina) has thrown away.

Metuh looked for trouble, in a statement by his special assistant, Richard Ihediwa, where he accused Adesina of ignoring the party’s observation that no former APC governor has been subjected to interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under the present administration.

In his reaction, Adesina said: “Metuh is sounding like a broken record. It’s the same thing that he says all the time.

“But let me assure Nigerians that the President has always maintained that even when it affects APC members, the person concerned must go and defend himself.

“I think what is of interest to Nigerians is ‘did these people commit the crime?’ not whether it is one-sided or not.”

“It is unfortunate that in trying to wear his master the garb of a democrat, Mr. Adesina has instead muddled up and bungled his assignment with his arrogant posturing on important national issues. Whereas this media aide may have done well in the confines of his newsroom as a media professional, he has so far succeeded in making a mockery of the office
of a spokesperson of the President of a country like Nigeria.

“Our final take therefore is that the Presidency must note that Nigerians are still waiting for a proper response on the issues raised instead of invectives from an aide who apparently talks before he thinks.”

Read More: sunnewsonline

Presidency Dismisses Metuh’s Lopsided Anti- Graft War Allegations

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Presidency has reacted swiftly to the allegation made by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

On the allegation of witch-hunting its members, the President’s Adviser on Media, Mr Femi Adesina, said that ordinarily he would not want to comment on such because they were comments coming from a political party and response are better from the APC leadership.

He, however, said that concerning the President, it was untrue for Mr Olisa Metuh to claim that the President’s anti-corruption war was one-sided.

According to him, “Mr Olisa Metuh is sounding like a broken record. It’s the same thing that he says all the time. But let me assure Nigerians that the President has always maintained that even when it affects APC members, the person concerned must go and defend himself.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh, had said at a news conference in Abuja, that unfolding events have confirmed the party’s position that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is only using the anti-corruption posture as a tool to witch-hunt PDP members and perceived political opponents of the APC government.

He stated that no member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite the public petitions of corruption and squandering of state funds, has been invited, questioned or arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But Mr Adesina wondered why the issue was not whether the people facing the EFCC actually committed the crime but Mr Metuh is saying that it is one-sided.

“I think what is of interest to Nigerians is ‘did this people commit the crime?’ not whether it is one-sided,” he said.

Credit: channelstv

Lai Mohammed Accuses Metuh Of Character Assassination

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has accused the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh of defaming his character, in a press release he allegedly authored and circulated on September 20, 2015.

According to Mohammed, Metuh had, in the said release stated that he (Mohammed) embezzled the funds meant for fencing an airport in one of the APC-controlled states in the South-West.

He claimed that Metuh also accused him of obtaining money to supply ambulances to one APC-controlled state in the South-West, but never did so.

Metuh had, in the statement, allegedly wondered where Mohammed got the morality right to speak on corruption, when, indeed, the APC spokesman ‘had mastered the art of corruption, having been a personal aide to one of the most corrupt politicians to ever bestride the political space of the country’.

Read More: dailytimes

I Am Unaware Of Lai Mohammed’s N500m Defamation Suit- Metuh

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday, responded to media reports that spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has filed a N500 against million suit at a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, seeking compensation for alleged defamation of his person by some issues raised by him (Metuh) in response to one of his (Mohammed’s) statements.

Richard Ihediwa, the special assistant to the PDP Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Tuesday, said neither the PDP spokesperson nor any of his lawyers was aware of any such suit by Mohammed, adding that they have not been served.

Ihediwa said: “The attention of the Office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to reports in some section of the media, suggesting that the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has filed a suit against Chief Olisa Metuh…”

Read More: vanguardngr

Anambra PDP Sacks Metuh

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisah Metuh.

His suspension followed one allegedly handed to him by his Otolo Nnewi Ward I, ratified by his local government – Nnewi North.

A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary Kenneth Arinze and Victor Osy Ezenwa, Basil Ejidike (secretary), Dr. Maduka Nwankwo (chairman, South), Kelue Molokwu (vice chairman, Central) and Chief Osy Chinwuba (chairman, North), alleged that Metuh embezzled party funds.

The statement reads: “Following the suspension of Chief Olisa Metuh by the Otolo Ward 1 Nnewi of the PDP (where Olisa hails from) and the ratification of same by the Nnewi North Local Government chapter, the sState executive committee, after assessing the weighty allegations against Olisa Metuh and finding them heinous, in compliance with the PDP Constitution, hereby, ratifies the suspension and forward same to the National Working Committee (NWC)”.

Read More: thenationonlineng

APC is taking glory for our achievements –PDP

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Monday accused the governing All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government of appropriating unto itself the achievements of the Goodluck Jonathan administration and taking glory for them.

Speaking through a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, etue, the PDP said, “how do we explain APC’s spirited effort to make the public believe that the equipping of the country’s military for the fights against insurgency, the turn around of the nation’s oil refineries; and the polio-free certification of Nigeria were products of their government even when it is common knowledge that they have not been able to find their bearing for governance since their election into office”.

The party insisted that had it being that the former national security adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki was not courageous enough to release “those incontrovertible facts that the Goodluck Jonathan-led PDP administration actually fortified the country’s military before leaving office in May,” the governing party would have succeeded in making Nigerians believe that the equipping came as a result of Buhari’s recent diplomatic shuttles.

According to Metuh, “It is an obvious fact that before the May 29 handover to the APC, the Nigerian armed forces, using these equipment sourced under the watch of the PDP government, had already pushed the insurgents to the verge of surrender in the Sambisa forest, only for them to now recover under the APC-led government due to apparent lack of direction and confusion that have characterized this administration.

“In the same way, this government has positioned itself to claim credit for the turnaround and resuscitation of some of the nation’s oil refineries without reference to the past administration that initiated and executed the turn around maintenance (TAM) of the facilities years back, which dividends the nation now enjoys and which we expect will result in steady supply of petroleum products in our nation.

“Similarly, informed Nigerians note with dismay how the APC administration has been celebrating the certification of Nigeria as polio-free in the last one year by the World Health Organization (WHO) without giving credit to the PDP-led government under whose watch the feat was achieved.

“While the PDP well understands the nervousness of the APC and its government in the challenge of fulfilling their bogus promises upon which they rode to power, such does not in any way rationalise the resort to deceit and flagrant appropriation of another’s achievements, a thing no serious, credible and honest government will do.”

The opposition party stated that rather than take the glory for its achievements, “the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari should make haste and activate the various economic outlets which have been stagnated as a result of their obvious inability to articulate a clear-cut economic policy for the nation”.

It further stated that: “it was disappointing that a government which came to power on claims of high moral ground, rather than focusing on delivering its promises, is dancing around the achievements of the previous government in an attempt to make the public believe that recorded successes in critical sectors are theirs”.

It insisted that rather than “to poach achievements to earn an undeserved praise, the APC and its government should brace up, articulate a precise economic policy, assemble an economic team and urgently commence the delivery of their promises for which they were voted.”

The PDP declared that it found it unacceptable, notwithstanding the reasons being adduced, for a government in a democratic setting to run for almost three months without a cabinet and any policy direction whatsoever, stressing that, “This is the first time since independence that our nation has stayed without a complete composition of government for three months.

“Unfortunately, the negative effect of this anomaly, which has taken a huge toll on the country’s economy and the welfare of Nigerians, will be with us in the coming years.

“We express this concern against the backdrop of information that unpatriotic persons close to government are already hounding civil servants for inflated concessions, allocations, jobs and other favours being unduly granted, making the system fertile for heavy financial sleazes in the absence of appropriate statutory supervising officers.

“This is in addition to the avoidable economic downturn now manifesting in the abandonment of ongoing infrastructural projects, crippling of foreign and domestic investments and continued slide in the money and capital markets.

“Finally, we want to reiterate our earlier call on Nigerians to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari, who for obvious reasons is surrounded by people whose divergent personal interests have become a huge burden on our dear nation, the integrity of this government, the health of our economy and sustenance of our democracy,” the statement concluded.

Source : Daily Post

President Buhari Didn’t Spend N2.2 Billion On US Trip, Presidency Clarifies

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The Presidency has dismissed claims in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari spent a total of N2.2billion during his four-day state visit to the United States of America.

In a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity said: “Our attention has been drawn to an editorial published in the Nigerian Pilot of August 2, 2015 and an earlier report in which the total cost of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent trip to the US was estimated at N2.2 billion.

“It is very sad that in this age of free-flowing information and in this era of ‘CHANGE’, a media organisation would make itself available as a vehicle to peddle a lie of such low and ignominious quality. Continue…

“Contrary to the newspaper’s assertions, the total cost of the trip to the Nigerian taxpayer was at the most minimal, in line with the policy of this administration to cut waste and extravagance.

“In point of fact, the total amount expended on the trip by the Office of the President amounted to nothing near ten per cent of the speculated figure.

“Owing to the free accommodation provided by the host government, all the personal staff who accompanied the President on the trip received reduced allowances.

“His son, Yusuf, received neither allowances nor estacode. The five Governors on the trip each paid his own way. Permanent Secretaries who traveled on the delegation did so in accordance with extant rules and none of them exceeded their estacode entitlements.

“Apart from the Nigerian Pilot’s mischievous mathematics, it is shortsighted and misleading of the newspaper to have claimed that President Buhari’s trip to the US achieved nothing.

“Nigerian-US relations had suffered severely over the past few years. That relationship has now been reset. The benefits of this symbiotic relationship will become more and more evident as the Buhari administration continues to tackle the challenges of corruption, security and the economy.

“Some of the more immediate benefits of the President’s trip to the US include: the proposed $2.1 billion fund from the World Bank for the re-development of the northeast battered by Boko Haram; $5 billion from US investors in Nigeria’s agriculture sector; $1.5 billion investment in the Nigerian health sector; and another $5 billion investment from the US in our country’s power sector.

“Also, as things stand at the moment, the embargo on the sale of weapons sales to Nigeria is in the process of being removed.

“The trip to the US by President Buhari was definitely very successful and beneficial to Nigeria. Only those rabidly determined to find faults unnecessarily will cook up falsehood in a futile effort to rake up murk where none exists,” Shehu said.

PDP’s Olisa Metuh Explains How Cold It Is Being In The Opposition

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, has explained how cold it is to be in the opposition. Speaking in an interview with Sahara Tv yesterday, Olisa said;

“It is cold out here. It is cold because people that have been with you for the past 10 years now decided to change because we are no longer in power. It is cold out here because people allowed themselves to be used against the party. It is cold out here because you are subject to the machination and conspiracy of the ruling party. But in terms of service, being in the opposition renews your commitment.

“The week that we lost the presidential election, some members changed. They are no longer committed and even the staff of the party are no more disciplined because there is no benefit to get. This has, however, separated those who came to reap from the PDP and those who want to really serve. Politics is about service. Those who want to serve will remain.”

PDP Statements Sounds Like A Compendium Of Beer Parlor Gossips And Side Talks – APC

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Staff Reporter

In response to the press release of the PDP on Sunday, APC has hit back at the opposition.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the PDP as a party cannot provide any worthwhile opposition to the APC-led Federal Government if its spokesman continues to issue convoluted and fustian statements just so that he can be in the news.

Today’s statement is the most tortuous yet by the PDP and, honestly, sounds more like a compendium of beer parlour gossips and side talks than a serious criticism of a sitting government,” the APC said in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

”To be in opposition does not mean you have to constitute yourself to a nuisance by rushing to the press with all sorts of hot air statements. It is the quality, rather than the frequency, of your interventions that makes you relevant as an opposition in a democracy,” the party said

It said that in the light of the above, the APC will not dignify the latest in a series of confused statements by the PDP with any response. ”We can only say that we have been justified, and indeed prescient, in our earlier offer to organize a crash course for Olisa Metuh so that he can more effectively perform his role as the spokesman of the main opposition party.

Those who thought we were joking with that offer can now see that indeed, Mr. Metuh is seriously in need of some form of coaching on his new role,” APC said. The party said for the record, no government in Nigeria’s recent history has been as focused and systematic as the one headed by President Muhammadu Buhari in restoring good governance, especially coming after the worst stretch of governance, lasting all of 16 years, by the immoral and reckless PDP.

It is worth noting that even the leader of the world’s foremost democracy, President Barack Obama, said that much during the recent visit to the US of President Buhari, when he described him (President Buhari) as a man of integrity with a clear agenda. ”President Buhari is working hard every day in the priority areas of tackling security and corruption, rebooting the economy to provide jobs for our teeming youths and generally to restore good governance.

We are sorry for those who are too blind with hatred to see this. ”We know that the PDP is terrified by the expose of how the Federal Government it led has looted the treasury and created an environment for impunity to thrive, as well as the fate that will befall those who were part of the show of shame and disgust.

But we assure Nigerians that this government will not interfere with the work of the security and anti-corruption agencies, and also that under the Buhari Administration, only the guilty needs to be afraid. ”In the meantime, no amount of mumbo jumbo from the PDP will stop the Buhari Administration from its tough but inevitable task of restoring Nigeria’s lost glory,” APC said.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed
National Publicity Secretary APC

PDP Says It Will Reject Results Of Any Elections Conducted By New INEC boss

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Staff Reporter

PDP National Publicity secretary, Oliseh Metuh, says the party will reject results of elections conducted by INEC’s acting Chairman, Amina Zakari whom they claim is like a “daughter” to President Buhari. Mr Metuh said this while speaking during a courtesy visit he made to the National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute in Abuja yesterday July 16th.

“We have INEC and the idea is that people heading it should be above board, but the present ruling party has appointed the ‘daughter’ of the President to head the position. There is no where in the world where such has happened, a person who has a relationship with the President. I am drawing the attention of the IRI that Buhari has appointed his ‘daughter’ as INEC Chairman, we believe there will not be fairness. It will be very difficult to accept any result of the election conducted by Amina Zakari. It will be difficult for PDP to accept result of election if we lose under Zakari.” he said

Mr Metuh also claimed that since he assumed office President Buhari has formed the habit of taking only Governors from his party for his foreign engagements. Mr Metuh said this was never the case during the time of former President Jonathan who ensured that he took Governors from the opposition along with him during any of his foreign trips.

Buhari Appointed His ‘Daughter’ As INEC Chairman – PDP

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, has said his party would reject any election conducted by the Acting Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari, because she is a ‘daughter’ to the president head of state and her elections cannot be credible. Metuh said it is surprising to him and indeed the world that the president can appoint someone who is his daughter to such a position.

Metuh said these today when he paid a courtesy visit to kari,the National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute in Abuja. Hear him;

“We have INEC and the idea is that people heading it should be above board, but the present ruling
party has appointed the ‘daughter’ of the President to head the position.

“There is no where in the world where such has happened, a person who has a relationship with the President.

“I am drawing the attention of the IRI to this. Buhari has appointed his ‘daughter’ as INEC Chairman, we believe there will not be fairness.

“It will be very difficult to accept any result of the election conducted by Amina Zakari. It will be difficult for PDP to accept result of election if we loose under Zakari.”

Credit Us For The Bailout Fund – PDP

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The national leadership of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has claimed credit for the money released by President Muhammadu Buhari to states as bailout funds.

It said the release of over N804 Billion from the nation’s coffers as bailout to states and local governments across the country would go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of the Nigerian workers in various states of the federation, most of whom, it said, have been without their wages for some months.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said the party however “notes that a significant amount of the bailout came from savings accumulated in the Excess Crude Account handed over to the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress’ administration by the past PDP-led administration.

Metuh said it was however unfortunate that President Buhari had told the international community and Nigerians that he might not be able to perform in his first 100 days in office because he met almost an empty treasury.

He said the release of the funds by the President could have been an indication that he(President Buhari) was misdirected earlier on.

Metuh said his party would be expecting the President to behave like a true leader by correcting the first impression and statement he made concerning the true situation of the treasury.

He said, “This development is in clear contradiction to the earlier impression given by President Buhari to Nigerians and the international community that they should not expect much from his administration in its first one hundred days because according him, upon assumption of office, he met a virtually empty treasury.

“We want to believe that given the President’s release of such huge amount, he may have realised that he was earlier misdirected on the actual financial state of the nation at the time he took over. In this regard, we expect the President, as a respected statesman, to do the needful to correct that erroneous impression.

“Furthermore, we expect President Buhari’s APC administration, as direct beneficiary of this savings initiated by past PDP administrations, to appreciate the strategic importance of always saving for rainy days and as such guarantee prudent and transparent management of the nation’s resources now under its care.”

Metuh, therefore, charged the APC as a party in government to put its house in order, desist from injecting confusion and distracting the President from settling down to form a government and face the enormous challenges of governance, especially the implementation of his long list of campaign promises to Nigerians.

He added that Nigerians “are no longer interested in insults, tirades and propaganda but in actions and policies that would move the nation forward,” a stance, he alleged, the APC has has failed to recognise.

PDP Heading For Self-Destruction – Mark

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Staff Reporter

AS the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, continues its blame game over its woeful performance at the April general elections, the Senate President, David Mark has advised the gladiators in the fight to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

The Senate President said presently the party is already in comatose and haemorrhaging as further squabble by its leaders would lead to its final destruction.

Senator David Mark painted the sad picture of the party in Abuja Wednesday when the Chairman of the PDP post election assessment committee led by its Chairman and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu visited him.

He expressed worry over the continued acrimony between factions in the party, and warned that, “unless we halt the bleeding and find the necessary therapy, we may be heading for the final burial of the party”.

According to him, “the party is already in a comatose status and we should do all we can to resuscitate the party rather than this unnecessary rancor and bulk passing.

“The emerging factions are absolutely unnecessary. The combatants must sheathe their swords and embrace dialogue. My appeal is that we should not do anything further that would damage the already fragmented house.

“Everybody should come together and rebuild the party. We have gotten enough bruises. We need not inflict further pains on ourselves, with continuous bickering.

“Enough of this blame-game. We should return to the drawing board and need not wash our dirty linen in the public, anymore.

“I believe a useful lesson has been learnt from the PDP electoral misfortune. As for me, it is time to put on our thinking caps and chart a new course”.

“I trust Senator Ekweremadu that he and his team will do a good job and unearth the remote and immediate causes of our misfortune and make recommendations that will enhance the future of the party”.

On the capacity of the Deputy Senate President to deliver in the his assignment, Senator Mark said, “I have worked closely with the Deputy President of the Senate over the years and I know his capability and capacity to handle issues.”

”President Jonathan Is Responsible For His Defeat” – Olisa Metuh

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Staff Reporter

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.President Goodluck Jonathan

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.

“We did not lead the party to failure. We were not involved in the campaigns and our advice was ignored. If we had handled the campaign, Mr. President would have won the election,” said Mr. Metuh, adding, “We cannot be held responsible when our advice was ignored.”

He told the media that the party leadership “generated more than N7 billion, N8 billion or N 9billion. We generated more than N7 billion…The first initial donation we made was half a billion to the presidential campaign funds even though we were not involved in raising funds for the presidential campaign.

“They generated campaign funds up to N21 billion. The party was not involved in it and the party cannot account for it because we were not involved in that money. It was a Jerry Gana committee and they handled it and nobody can question us for that.

“There is no gubernatorial candidate that received less than N100 million from this [National] Working Committee. And the House of Assembly candidates across the country got money from us.”

According to Mr. Metuh, the funds donated by the party leadership to candidates were “were given to some ministers and some people to distribute to the state. In some states it was the campaign coordinators that we gave. In some states, we gave to the governors or directly to the candidates of the party.

“For those of us in the North where the type of campaign that we generated made it impossible for our leaders in the North to garner support for our candidate because of the hate campaign that was generated we are not answerable for it.

“Whilst I am not holding any excuse for them we cannot be held accountable for issues that were generated that worked against our candidate in the North,” said the party spokesman, adding, “This is clear, all Nigerians knew what happened.”

Mr. Metuh denied the allegation that he and several other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) received N30 million each. According to him, “we state clearly that we have not been given any money. Rather, this NWC generated billions of naira from the sale of forms from where we funded our candidates for governorship and state assembly elections in all the states of the federation—in addition to funds released to key leaders, including NWC and Board of Trustees members to prosecute the campaigns in their various areas.”

He added that the members of the party’s NWC were willing and ready to make their accounts public in line with the freedom of information law.

A day earlier, associates of President Goodluck Jonathan had given SaharaReporters documentary proof of what they alleged were greedy amounts collected by each member of the NWC, including the party’s national chairman Adamu Mu’azu. The sources at the Presidency accused Mr. Mu’azu and other NWC officials of pursuing their private material interests at the detriment of the party’s electoral prospects.

Pres. Jonathan Must Explain How He Spent Nigeria’s Resources For The Past 6 Years – PDP Pub Sec Olisa Metuh

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that President Goodluck Jonathan must account for how he spent Nigeria’s resources for the past 6 years he ruled Nigeria.

This is coming as an online news platform SaharaReporters portered that some Goodluck Jonathan’s associates have released up documentary evidence that members of the National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stole funds belonging to the party’s treasury shortly after President Jonathan lost the presidential election on March 28, 2015.

Two close associates of the president spoke to SaharaReporters on what one of them described as “shameless stealing of party funds by officials entrusted with running the affairs of the party.”

The two sources disclosed that President Jonathan felt betrayed by the “greedy actions” of the NWC members. The Presidency sources gave SaharaReporters internal vouchers showing that the party’s NWC members shelled out over a quarter of billion naira in unexplained fees to themselves on April 8, 2015.

The monies, which were paid out of the party’s Zenith Bank account number ending with 6016, revealed that the party’s national chairman, Adamu Muazu, was paid N100 million through Julius Berger PLC while the deputy chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, received N40 million. The documents provided by the Presidency also revealed that the PDP’s national secretary, Adewale Oladipo, got N30 million. Other members who got N30 million each include Buhari Bala, who is national treasurer of the party, Bolaji Akpan Anani, national financial secretary, Olisa Metuh, national publicity secretary, Adeyanju Fatai, the party’s national auditor, Abubakar Mustapha, national organizing secretary, Kema Chikwe, national women leader, Victor Yusuf Kwon, national Legal adviser, Hussaini Maibasira, and the deputy national secretary, Onwe Solomon.

Apart from the scandalous payments, another set of documents shows that the PDP also compelled delegates to its annual convention to pay N10,000 each into the private accounts of Marufi Nigeria Limited. One of the Presidency sources described the company as a fraudulent front linked to a top member of the NWC.

One of the Presidency sources stated that the NWC members contributed in a large measure to the defeat of President Jonathan, adding that they more interested in pursuing their private material interests than the party’s corporate interest. “They were too busy helping themselves to party funds as President Jonathan’s campaign suffered.”

In a fierce rebuttal, several of the NWC members told SaharaReporters stated that President Jonathan was the architect of his own failure. “He was the person running the country, not members of the NWC. If Nigerians turned against him, it’s not because of anything the NWC did or didn’t do,” one member said.

Another NWC member accused the president and his closest associates of operating the president’s multi-billion dollar campaign using structures outside the party.

One member of the NWC accused President Jonathan of planning to hijack the party in order to place his loyalists in place in anticipation of running for office again in 2019.

The NWC member accused Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State of leading the plot to remove the Muazu-led NWC.

“We are determined to ensure that nobody can just pocket a party that many eminent Nigerians contributed to establish,” one NWC source vowed.

Before going to press PDP Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh told Saharareporters that the payments was made to assist NWC for the Governorship and state house of assembly elections that took place on April 11th 2015. He said that since the Presidency was more concerned about transparency, they Presidency Campaign Council should publish how it gave out N700 million to each state and most importantly how the Presidency spent Nigerian resources in the last 6 years.

Lai Mohammed Offers Metuh Free 6Week Crash Course As Opposition Spokesman

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Staff Reporter

APC has denied having any hand in the crumbling of the PDP, as alleged by the party’s National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, while offering him, (Metuh) a free, six-week crash course on his new role as the opposition spokesman.

Reacting to the allegation by Mr. Metuh that the APC has been working to destabilize the PDP, the party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, in Abuja on Friday, that during the training, Mr. Metuh will be given free lessons by his APC counterpart, in the spirit of cooperation and for the advancement of the nation’s democracy.

”Metuh will need the training to effectively carry out his new, tough task. It is now obvious that he needs to understand that for him to succeed in his new role, he must be credible, empirical, more sophisticated in language use and very passionate, in addition to being able to operate on a lean or zero budget,” it said.

APC said it is ludicrous, to say the least, for anyone to suggest that the APC is seeking to destabilize the PDP, when the erstwhile ruling party has done such a great job of crumbling under its own weight, having gorged on the commonwealth.

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PDP Will Never Insult Buhari- Metuh

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, has affirmed that the political party will by all means never insult president elect, Muhammadu Buhari.

The party holds that it will provide a credible opposition that will offer sound policies and programmes to the incoming administration.

Metuh further expressed the PDP has strong values and traditions. They centre on national peace, stability and prosperity and people of Nigeria are their general interest. However the party has commenced their rebuilding programme and is certain will regain power in four years’ time.

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