The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja was yesterday told how former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki withdrew the sum of N10 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria and shared same to chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the purpose of the party’s presidential convention.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also told the court how the sum of N766million, representing N400million and N366million paid into the party’s National Publicity, Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh’s Destra company was shared.
The said N10 billion, which was allegedly converted into dollars, which amounted to $47million was given to the ADC to former President Goodluck Jonathan and his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to share to PDP members for the presidential convention.
A detective at the EFCC, Junaid Sa’ad, who was testifying in the trial of the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said the $2m which the PDP spokesman gave to Nneka Ararume is strongly linked to the $47m which was shared among party members by Dasuki.
“In the course of investigation, it was revealed that the former NSA, Col.Sambo Dasuki withdraw N10 billion from Central Bank and converted same into dollars which amounted to $47m and gave the money to the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Aide-de-Camp, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe and his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa, to share to PDP members for the presidential convention.
He said $2m given to Nneka Ararume by Metuh is strongly linked to that disbursement.
“The $47m which was converted on November 27, 2014 and shared out to PDP members for the convention. Just four days after the money was converted was when Metuh gave the $2m to Miss Ararume to invest.”
Asked under cross-examination whether there was any document on the withdrawal of the N10 billion by Dasuki, the witness said document for the withdrawal is part of the other charges to be preferred against Dasuki.
He added that there was no document as to the $47m because the money was shared in cash.
Sa’ad further testified to the effect that Metuh diverted N50 million out of the N400 million given to him by former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, for “security services” to purchase landed property at Banana Island in Lagos.
The witness, who was cross-examined by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) confirmed that Jonathan had requested for Metuh’s account details after he made a presentation to him that had to do with the image of the PDP which was embarking on a national election.
Sa’ad, who was the eighth and last witness in the case, said: “Investigation revealed that after payment of N400 million by the ONSA, a total sum of N366 million was paid into the same account by one Kabiru Ibrahim, who also paid in N150 million; Capital Field Investment Limited paid in N91 million, and one Eyitonye, paid in N82 million.
“These funds formed the naira equivalent of $2m which the first defendant (Metuh) gave to one Nneka Ararume in cash.
“Investigations revealed that all this money was used for PDP campaign activities and for personal use by the first defendant.
The money used for PDP campaign activities were from the sum of N400 million. Among the disbursement made, the sum of N77.5 million was paid to CMC connect for campaign activities; the sum of N25 million was paid to Abba Dabo for campaign activities; and the sum of N21.7 million was paid to Chief Tony Anenih. Another sum of N5m was discovered to have been paid to Chief Kema Chikwe, and the sum of N50m was found to have been transferred to a joint account of the first defendant and his wife.
“The sum of N500m was also discovered to have been transferred to Daniel Ford International Limited in two tranches of N200m and N300m for the purpose of buying landed property at Banana Island, Lagos, by Metuh.
“In the course of the investigation, the team visited the residence of the first defendant and invited him to the commission. He was interviewed. After the interview, he was asked if he was willing to volunteer a statement in writing. He said, ‘yes’. When he concluded writing his statement, which was in four sheets, he handed them over to us. I read what he had written. I also gave it to my other team members to read. After that, I returned it to him for endorsement.
“He endorsed the first sheet, he endorsed the second sheet; when he was to endorse the third sheet in which he had stated that the money he received from ONSA was used for PDP campaign activities to settle his personal debts, to the surprise of the team he suddenly tore the sheet. The pieces of the torn sheets were then recovered from him and registered as exhibit.”
Meanwhile, the prosecution counsel, Slyvanus Tahir announced that it has closed it’s case against Metuh.
With the development, Metuh is expected to open his defence on February 18, 2016. (Daily Sun)