Metuh has case to answer for destroying evidence, says court
Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq Bello on Thursday dismissed the no-case submission filed by a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh.
The embattled former PDP spokesman who is facing criminal trial for alleged destruction of his confessional statement had filed the no -case submission after the prosecution closed its case.
Metuh stated that the anti-graft agency failed to make out any case against him with testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and exhibits, including the alleged pieces of the destroyed statement.
But, in his ruling Justice Bello held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendant which requires him to provide an explanation.
Consequently, the chief judge dismissed the defendant’s application on no case submission for lacking in merit and ordered him to open his defence.
Our correspondent recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Metuh in the criminal charge of destroying his own statement which he made under caution in the presence of its operatives and investigators on January 5, 2016.
The alleged statement was in connection with EFCC investigation over a N400 million payment Metuh’s company, Destra Investment Limited received from the office of the National Security Adviser.
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The anti-graft agency alleged that Metuh committed the offence while in its custody on January 5, 2016.
While the EFCC brought charges of money laundering involving the sum of N400 million before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, a separate two -count charge was filed by the police before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, alleging unlawful destruction of evidence.
