N400m fraud: Metuh pays NTA, FRCN others

Mr. Richard Ihediwa, the fifth defence witness in the ongoing trial of the former National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh on Thursday revealed how cash payments was made to government owned media houses the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)from the N400m.

At the resumed trial yesterday before Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court the witness said that Daily Trust, Champion and Newswatch Newspapers were also paid in cash to launder the image of the president.

The witness who gave details of the account during cross examination by counsel to Destra Investment Limited, Mr. Torchukwu Onwugbufor (SAN),said  that Metuh also paid cash to one Segun Olatunji Jacobs of the Tribune newspapers but added that he could not remember some of the newspapers houses which were paid in cash.

He said, the media campaign to launder the image of former President Goodluck Jonathan  became necessary because of the agitation from North, South- South, South-West and South-East.
” the issue of resource control, infrastructural development and the implementation  of the recommendation 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 demand on the former president and he felt the best way to handle the agitation was through media publicity and public enlightenment instead the use of the gun or force” he said.

Earlier during Thursday’s court session the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang had allowed Dr. Olugbumi Usim-Wilson to withdraw as surety to Metuh.

This followed an application Usim-Wilson had filed seeking for  withdrawal of her sureteeship for Metuh..

Onwugbufor, who argued the motion on behalf of the 2nd defendant said, even though the application was made in bad fate, they will not oppose to it.
Describing the development as unfortunate, he urged  the court to hold that there was no cogent  reason  before it why she was withdrawing as a surety

Counsel to the applicant on his part had told the court that his client stood as surety voluntarily and the court should allow her to withdraw since she acted in good fate.

He also prayed the court to prevail on Metuh not to in any way harrass or intimidate the applicant. But counsel to Metuh, Emeka Etiaba (SAN),said the prayer was not necessary 

He told the court that the submissions of the applicant counsel was a joke taking too far and further prayed the court to hold that the application was not part of the prayers.

In his ruling, the trial judge, Justice Abang allowed the applicant to withdraw as a surety.

Justice Abang in a short ruling stress the need for both parties, counsel and even the judges to search their conscience in all they do because there  is a great God that we will all give account to. 
” if I had taken this application for withdrawal first, it would have means Metuh would have gone back to Kuje prisons Until he secure another suretee.

He explained that it was for that reason he took the application for replacement first that allowed the deputy President of the SenatE, Senator Ike Ekweremadu to replace
Wilson.
The case has been adjourned to Nov 30, 2016 for continuation of trial.