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Tag: Metuh

  • Metuh seeks court’s permission for treatment abroad

    Metuh seeks court’s permission for treatment abroad

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Olisa Metuh, on Thursday asked a Federal High Court, Abuja, for permission to travel to the United Kingdom for five weeks on medical ground.

    The request is contained in an application filed by Metuh’s lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), seeking the release of his client’s travel passport for that purpose.

    The court had, while admitting Metuh to bail on January 19 this year, ordered him to submit his passport to the court as part of the conditions for the bail granted him.

    The court allowed him the freedom to apply for its release when he intends to travel.

    In the application, Metuh said his decision to seek treatment abroad was informed by the advice of a neurosurgeon at the National Hospital, Abuja, following the injury he reportedly sustained after falling from a chair at the party’s national secretariat on April 26.

  • Metuh got N400m for Jonathan’s image laundering, says Okupe

    Metuh got N400m for Jonathan’s image laundering, says Okupe

    Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, got N400 million from the former president.

    He said the money was part payment for the image laundering project Metuh executed for Jonathan before the last presidential election.

    Metuh  is  being tried with his company, Destra Investment Limited, for money laundering and allegedly receiving N400 million from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

    Okupe, who was in court as Metuh’s third witness, was led in evidence by the PDP lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), who told the court details of how the deal was struck in November 2014.

    “Yes, around that time, there was very deep concern in the presidency and the government about the perception of Mr. President and his administration and negative perception by the Nigerian public.

    “This also included some perceived ineffectiveness of the administration and a wrong perception in some parts of the country about the role of government and its actions or activities concerning security situation in the country then.

    “Therefore, in government there was a general feeling that some actions needed to be taken urgently to address these issues, especially because of the coming elections. It was in the course of my discussion with Mr President, when I also expressed my own personal concerns too, that he informed me that Chief Olisah Metuh had some suggestions, which he (the President) had instructed him (Metuh) to bring a proposition on what he considered needed to be done and that when this is done, he would inform me so that we can go through it together. Shortly after that, I was invited to a meeting in the State House where Chief Metuh, in company of some consultants, made presentations to the President,” Okupe said.

    The witness, who said he witnessed the presentation made to the then president by Metuh and his group, also said he knew that money was paid to Metuh by the President.

    “Yes, I know from two sources. First was the President himself, who told me that he had instructed that Chief Metuh be mobilised. And that was during breakfast with Mr President one morning.

    “He (Jonathan) told me that he had instructed that Chief Metuh be mobilised with N400m. The following day, very early in the morning, I got a call from Chief Metuh, who told me that he has received N400 million from the President,” he said.

    On whether Metuh carried out the assignment for which he was paid, Okupe said: “Yes, he set up a very large committee of various people, former editors, resource persons in line with media, publicity, image management and all that. And they met somewhere in Asokoro.

    “It was a full -ledged session. I can testify that quite a substantial amount of work was done.

    “Some of the substantial results were security related, but others that have to do with image and perception yielded result, because we have a feedback mechanism.

    “We call him to say, who moved you guys on and why did you have to wait for this long. We know that the outreach programmes were successful.”

    Under cross-examination by counsel to Metuh’s company, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), Okupe said the funds for Jonathan’s campaign were not from the country’s coffers.

    “I said earlier that the President enjoys tremendous goodwill within society, therefore it is understandable that the President can use this goodwill to assist his party or help to do special programmes that are aimed at assisting the fortunes of the party or government.

    “Besides, as candidate for election, the President has immense capacity to raise funds and this was demonstrated by the amount of money the President was able to raise publicly at a fund raising ceremony in the villa.”

  • Jonathan approved payment of N400m to Metuh – Okupe

    Jonathan approved payment of N400m to Metuh – Okupe

    A former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said on Wednesday that the ex-president approved the payment of N400 million to Olisa Metuh.

    Okupe stated this while testifying in the trial of Metuh before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Metuh, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is standing trial for allegedly receiving N400 million from Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The prosecution claimed that the fund was collected through the defendant’s company Destra Investment Limited.

    However, the defence witness said the approval of Metuh’s proposal and immediate payment of the project fund was given by the former president in November 2014.

    “Sometime in November 2014, some members of the cabinet and party members were called for a crucial meeting with the President where issues of great national importance were discussed.

    “I remember vividly that on that fateful day, Chief Metuh presented a proposal to the President immediately after the meeting.

    “The President also gave approval for the payment of N400 million to Metuh,’’ Okupe said.

    Okupe added that the money was to be used for enhancement of Jonathan’s negative public perception before the 2015 general election.

    He said as the leader of the PDP and its presidential candidate, the ex- President enjoyed tremendous goodwill, saying that several actions were to support the PDP.

    According to Okupe, such goodwill was demonstrated at the fund raising ceremony organised at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, before the election, in which about N21 billion was raked in.

    “I am therefore surprised to hear that the Office of the National Security Adviser was used to distribute money for Jonathan’s presidential campaign.

    “However, the President could also use his tremendous goodwill to source funds to assist his party or help to execute special programmes.

    “Besides, as the candidate for election, the President has immense capacity to raise funds as a candidate. He did not use any government establishment as his pseudo-sponsor,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the former presidential aide as saying at the hearing.

  • Alleged assault suit against Metuh for ruling May 18

    Alleged assault suit against Metuh for ruling May 18

    Justice Folashade Ojo of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has fixed next Wednesday for ruling in a N500 million suit against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Olisa Metuh, his wife, Kanayo and one of their aides, Oche Gambo.

    They were sued in 2011 by owners and some workers of a school,  formerly attended by Metuh’s son, Derrick.

    The owners and officials of British Nigerian Academy, Abuja, sued Metuh and the others for allegedly assaulting two workers on the school premises, for confiscating Derrick’s mobile phone, on February 19, 2011.

    Metuh’s wife and son were said to have visited the woman’s nephew, Kamsi Aghaji (a student), when an official of the school, Miss Amauche Igbe, allegedly saw Derrick giving his phone to some students in the boys’ hostel, in violation of the rules (no phone was allowed in the hostels) seized the phone.

    The plaintiffs – British Nigerian Academy, Kola Pele and Hamzat Maftau – said, in an amended statement of claim, that Kanayo allegedly invited her husband when she was unable to secure the release of her son’s phone.

    They said Metuh, “accompanied by armed mobile policemen, arrived on the school premises in a convoy of three black jeeps, all with head lamps on, and the drivers navigating the vehicles dangerously, almost colliding with some students, who were clearing up after visiting day, and observed by some parents leaving after visiting day.

    “The first defendant (Metuh) alighted from his vehicle at the entrance of the Sports Hall of the first plaintiff (the school) and demanded to see the second plaintiff (Pele) and, upon locating the second plaintiff, the first defendant demanded forcefully that his son’s phone be returned to him, but the second plaintiff refused to release the phone.

    “The first defendant then proceeded to grab the throat of the second plaintiff and started to hit him several times with the third defendant (Gambo, Metuh’s bodyguard) joining in the assault in the presence of a large crowd of staff, students and parents, who looked on worrying and in fear.

    “The first defendant, on several occasions, threatened to kill the second plaintiff if his son’s phone was not returned to him and boasted that even the inspector general of Police (IGP) would do nothing about the situation.

    “At one point, the first defendant and third defendant even attempted to bundle the second plaintiff into the first defendant’s car and but, for the intervention of the staff of the first plaintiff, who were on the scene they would have succeeded in doing so.

    “The third plaintiff tried to act as peacemaker in the scuffle and when attempting to pacify the first defendant, the third defendant kicked the third plaintiff, knocking him off balance and causing him to fall on his head.

    “The first defendant seized the second plaintiff’s office keys and mobile phone and threatened not to return them until his son’s mobile phone was returned. It was only after several staff and parents pleaded with the second plaintiff to return the phone for fear of serious injury being inflicted on him by the first and third defendants that the second plaintiff reluctantly returned Derrick’s phone to the first defendant,” the plaintiffs said.

    They argued that the actions of the first and third defendants “undermined the right of staff of the first plaintiff to work in a safe and secure environment without fear and intimidation from any quarters.”

    The plaintiffs prayed the court to award N500 million damages against the defendants (N150 million in special and general damages for assault, harassment, intimidation, mental pain, severe humiliation and injury to the person and integrity of Pele and Maftau; N100 million for exemplary damages for trespass and unlawful entry into the school premises and N250 million aggravated damages for grave injury caused to the commercial reputation and protective integrity of the school).

    They also seek a declaration that the actions of the defendants on February 19, 2011, at the school amounted to trespass and unlawful entry into the school premises.

    Metuh and his wife denied the plaintiffs’ allegation and urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the claims were frivolous and vindictive.

    Metuh admitted being informed of the seizure of his son’s phone by his wife, but denied forcefully invading the school premises with armed security personnel, who drove recklessly, as alleged by the plaintiffs.

    “The first defendant never made forceful demand of his son’s mobile phone and never grabbed the throat of the second plaintiff and never knocked him. The first defendant and third defendant (whoever he may be) never attempted to bundle the second plaintiff into the boot of the first defendant’s car and could not have done so.

    “The third plaintiff tried to pacify the first defendant because he knew that the second plaintiff had been most unreasonable but nobody kicked him and knocked him off balance. The first defendant never seized any key or mobile phone belonging to the second plaintiff or anybody,” the defendants said in their statement.

    Parties adopted their final written addresses on March 10, following which the judge adjourned to May 18, for judgment.

  • Appeal Court reserves judgments in appeals by Metuh, Kanu

    Appeal Court reserves judgments in appeals by Metuh, Kanu

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgments in two appeals by spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh and Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu.

    A three-man panel, led by Justice Abdul Aboki, told parties after they adopted their briefs of argument yesterday, that the judgment dates would be communicated to them.

    Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited, are appealing the ruling by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in which the judge refused their no-case submission and ordered them to enter defence in their trial for alleged money laundering and unlawful receipt of funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Kanu is appealing the ruling of Justice John Tsoho (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja) in which the judge agreed to the prosecution’s request to shield its witnesses in Kanu and two others’ trial on treasonable felony charge.

    Metuh and his company are being tried on a seven-count charge. At the completion of the prosecution’s case earlier this year, having called eight witnesses, the court called on the defence to open its case.

    Rather than conducting their defence, Metuh and Destra made a no-case submission, which Justice Abang rejected.

    The judge believed that the prosecution provided sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the defendants to warrant the court to call on them to enter defence.

    On his part, Kanu and two of his associates, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu, are being tried before the court on six-count charge of treasonable felony, illegal possession of firearms, and managing an unlawful society.

    Kanu is contending in his appeal that Justice Tsoho’s March 7 decision, which varied the court’s position not to allow the masking of prosecution witnesses, was given without jurisdiction. The judge, on February 19, refused prosecution’s motion for witness protection.

    Yesterday, Metuh’s lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and lawyer to his company, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) faulted Justice Abang’s reasoning in rejecting their clients’ no-case submission.

    They urged the court to set aside Justice Abang’s decision, uphold their clients’ no-case submission and quash the charges against them.

    Responding, lawyer to the Federal Government Sylvanus Tahir urged the court to dismiss the Appeal for lacking in merit and for being defective.

    Tahir noted that the appeal being an interlocutory one, the appellants were required under the law, to obtain leave of the trial court.

    He argued that having not fulfilled the condition precedent, the appellants cannot claim to have a valid appeal.

  • Appeal Court reserves judgments in Metuh, Kanu appeals

    Appeal Court reserves judgments in Metuh, Kanu appeals

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday reserved judgments in two appeals filed by spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh and pro-Biafra campaigner, Nnamdi Kanu.

    A three-man panel headed by Justice Abdul Aboki told parties after they adopted their various briefs of argument that dates for the judgments will be communicated to them.

    Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited, are appealing the ruling by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which rejected their no-case submission and ordered them to enter defence in their trial for money laundering and unlawful receipt of funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Kanu is appealing the ruling of Justice John Tsoho (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja) which agreed with the prosecution’s request to shield its witnesses in Kanu and two others’ trial for treasonable felony.

    Metuh and his company are being tried on a seven-count charge.

    After the prosecution completed its case earlier this year, having called eight witnesses, the court asked the defence to open its case.

    Rather than conducting their defence, Metuh and Destra Investment Limited elected to make a no-case submission, which the judge rejected in a ruling.

    The judge argued that the prosecution has provided sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the defendants in the matter.

     

  • Ex-senate president, Metuh clash over Abuja land

    Ex-senate president, Metuh clash over Abuja land

    Second REPUBLIC Senate President Joseph Wayas has asked a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to save him from outgoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh and others.

    The others are a former National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Musa Babayo, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

    Wayas is demanding N200,500,000 (N200.5m) from those listed.

    The ex-Senate President raised the alarm in an April 8, 2016 Statement of Defence  and counter-claim filed in the High Court of FCT.

    He said he had been at loggerheads with Metuh and Babayo over a plot of land in the posh Asokoro District since 2013.

    He said he had been resident at Plot No. 1843 Asokoro Cadastral Zone A04 which is “more particularly described by the Certificate of Occupancy as Plot No. 1843 Asokoro Cadastral Zone A04, File No. CR 829 new file No. CR 10120.”

    He said the plot of land was given to him in 2000 and he submitted the site plan to the Department of Development Control, which approved it.

    He said he had been in the possession of the land and occupied same for more than 12 years without harassment or molestation.

    He said: “That I am an aged man and have lived in fear and anxiety of danger to my life by the plaintiffs (Metuh and Babayo) , the second defendant( the Minister of FCT ) and or their agents who having forcefully demolished my property are determined to deny me of the possession and use thereof by every means necessary.

    “That as a result of the actions of the plaintiffs and the 2nd defendant, directly and of through their agents, I have been humiliated and embarrassed and consequently suffered grievous emotional and psychological trauma.

    “That the plaintiffs arid natural persons who severally and jointly claim title to a part of my plot of land and instigated the unlawful demolition carried out on my property on the 28th day of February 2013.

    “That the land in dispute is the plot of land which was granted to me about the year 2000 via a Certificate of Occupancy by the office of the 2nd defendant (Minister of FCT).

    “That I was issued with the Certificate of Occupancy in respect of the property in my name and did comply with all the requirements of the law regarding the said certificate and ownership of the property.

    “That my Building Plan was drawn to occupy about 4300sqm out of the total of about 5,000sqm area of the disputed land.

    “That I elected to leave about 700sqm of my land due to the road construction project that the the Office of the FCT Minister intended then to execute that would pass beside my plot.

    “That I did so to avoid any unforeseeable hazard the road project may occasion to my building and the occupants thereof.”

    He said in 2005 he submitted the Original Copy of the C of O to the Office of the FCT Minister through the Abuja Geographic Information System(AGIS)but he was yet to receive any further certificate in replacement thereof.

    Wayas said his nightmare started “in the last quarter of 2012 when I was approached by Olisa Metuh claiming that he has been allotted the area that I had left out in consideration of the road project.”

    He said Metuh also “requested me to cede a further portion of my land” to have enough space to accommodate his building project.”

    He said since 2013, he had been subjected to humiliation and psychological trauma.

    But Metuh, in a writ of summons, said he “became seize of the plot of the land by virtue of an allocation by the Office of the Minister of FCT via an offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy dated 16th February , 2011.”

    He said by  a letter dated  16th April 2011, the Office of the Minister of FCT  requested him to “make payment of N14,959,135 as Right of Occupancy and C of O bill( including all fees) which payments were effected in two installments on the 15th of December 2011 and 17th April 2012.

    “Upon complying with all the terms and conditions of offer by paying the required statutory fees, the Office of the Minister of FCT issued Metuh a Certificate of Occupancy with No. bf8uw-10-10a-746ar-182eu-10 dated 2nd of July, 2012.”

    Metuh said he later donated  a Power of Attorney covered by a Certificate of Occupancy with No. bf8uw-10-10a-746ar-182eu-10 dated 2nd of July, 2012 in favour of Dr. Musa Babayo( the 2nd Plaintiff).

    “On the 8th of March 2012, the 2nd Plaintiff paid a fee of N102,000 to AGIS for the registration of the Power of Attorney in favour of Babayo and the Power of Attorney was registered as No. 95 page 95, Volume 711A on the 27th of August 2014.

    “Sequel to the execution of the Power of Attorney referred to above, the 2nd Plaintiff ( Babayo)bought the property from Metuh for value.”

    He said Babayo continued to”enjoy quiet and peaceful possession of the property “ until sometime in 2012 when he discovered that Wayas had committed acts of trespass on the property.”

     

  • Court adjourns Metuh’s trial for two weeks on health grounds

    Court adjourns Metuh’s trial for two weeks on health grounds

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday postponed the trial of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh on health grounds, for two weeks.

    Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited, are being tried for corruption and money laundering.

    He was to continue with his defence yesterday. But his lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), informed the court that his client was indisposed and sought a two-week adjournment.

    Ikpeazu was silent on the nature of his client’s ailment.

    When asked by the judge how many witnesses he has left, having called one, Ikpeazu said he was considering calling five.

    He said two witnesses were with him in court yesterday.

    Prosecution lawyer Sylvanus Tahir did not object to Ikpeazu’s request for adjournment. He admitted knowledge of Metuh’s ill-health.

    Dressed in dark blue kaftan, Metuh, who was in court, looked sick and limped slightly, as he walked out of the courtroom after the case was adjourned.

    Following agreement by Ikpeazu and Tahir to return on May 17, Justice Abang adjourned proceedings to that day.

    Metuh told reporters that he was involved in an accident and was on admission at the National Hospital, Abuja.

    He said although his physicians advised him to remain in hospital, he elected to attend court to avert the possibility of the court having to revoke the bail granted him.

    “My lawyers advised that I rest. But I decided to come to court so that the court will not revoke the bail granted me. If I stay away and do not attend proceedings, the court may revoke my bail,” Metuh said.

  • Metuh: Court refers Lai Mohammed’s N500 suit to arbitration

    Metuh: Court refers Lai Mohammed’s N500 suit to arbitration

    Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday referred the N500 million libel suit filed by Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed against Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh to mediation court.

    Justice Ipaye ordered the case file to be taken to the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Prompt Administrator.

    “Now that pleadings have been closed, seven days from today, please head to ADR Centre for mediation of this dispute,” Ipaye ruled.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Mr. U. A. Otahine, the counsel to Metuh, told the court that he filed two applications dated April 25.

    According to him, the defence in the first application is requesting for an extension of time to file the statement of defence and originating processes.

    He said the second application sought an extension of time to file a counter-affidavit

    Counsel to the minister urged the court to set the case for trial.

    But the trial judge declined his request and said the matter would go first for arbitration.

    Mohammed, who was the spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had on October 12, 2015, filed a N500 million suit against Metuh for allegedly publishing libelous materials against him.

    He alleged that the PDP spokesman falsely accused him of embezzling funds meant to build a fence at an airport in one of the Southwest states under the control of APC.

    The publication alleged that Mohammed had obtained funds to supply ambulances to the Southwest state, but failed to do so.

    He had demanded a compensation of N500 million on account of the alleged false publications against him.

    He sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining Metuh, his cronies or any newspaper/magazine from further publishing or disseminating the libellous materials or something similar, which the court did not grant at previous hearing.

  • Alleged destruction of evidence: Metuh shuns court

    Alleged destruction of evidence: Metuh shuns court

    •Trial rescheduled for May 9

    Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh was absent yesterday at the resumption of his trial before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

    Metuh and his lawyer were in court at the last adjourned date of March 16, when parties agreed to yesterday, owing to the judge’s absence.

    But the PDP’s national publicity secretary and his legal team refused to turn up yesterday.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on January 21 arraigned Metuh on a two-count charge of attempting to destroy evidence in the allegation of receiving N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), for which he was arraigned in another court.

    The EFCC stated in the charge that Metuh “tore into pieces statement made under caution,” contrary to Section 326 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 327 of the same code.

    The prosecution amended the charge and added a third count of “Mischief”, which contravened Section 326 and punishable under Section 327 of the Penal Code.

    Yesterday, only the prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir and first prosecution witness, Said Junaid, were in court.

    They were informed by a court official, after waiting for over one hour, that Justice Ishaq Bello, was not available.

    Attempts by officials of the court to contact members of the defence team failed.

    An official of the court, who said he attempted to reach Emeka Etiaba (SAN), explained that calls to his number were not successful.

    Having failed to establish contact with the defence team, the court officials later adjourned further proceedings to May 9.

    On February 24, Junaid, while testifying as the first prosecution witness, gave details of how Metuh allegedly tore the statement.

    Led in evidence by Tahir, the witness said his team visited Metuh’s residence at Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja, on January 5 and invited him to the commission.

    Metuh, according to the prosecution witness, honoured the invitation and was interrogated by Ibrahim Musa, Michael Wetkas, Bello Umar, David Nkpe, Bello Adama and Eucheria Ibrahim.

    He added that the PDP spokesperson volunteered a statement to the commission.

    “My lord, when he concluded writing his statement, which was on four sheets of the EFCC statement form, I collected the statement and read over it. I handed it over to my superiors, Musa and Wektas. My lord, he suddenly tore the statement sheet into pieces. In great shock and surprise, I stood up and I asked him why he did what he did.

    “He said he did that because he was no longer willing to give the information on that statement sheet. I then requested the pieces of the statement, he declined and attempted to put them in his pocket, I then cautioned him and told him to respect himself. He insisted that he was going to dispose the torn sheet.

    “I persuaded him to handover the torn sheet and brought one plain paper before him, he poured the pieces on the plain sheet, my other colleagues were there looking at us in surprise as well.

    “He furthered tore them into pieces, saying only in the movies would this be recovered. I poured the pieces in the commission’s transparent polythene bag for exhibit and made entry of the incident into the EFCC’s incident duty station diary as well as EFCC’s pocket notebook.”

    “Later, in the day, he requested to make additional statement, which he made, wrote his name and signed, but declined to make any other statement on the torn paper,” Junaid said.