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| GOODLUCK JONATHAN |
By HADIZA SULEMAN
The ongoing trial of Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, is so far the most prominent of President Buhari’s fight against corruption. Mr. Metuh is facing a seven-count charge of corruption. He is accused of receiving N400 million from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who is alleged to have diverted the sum of $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms.
Coupled with last week’s raid on the Abuja office of former Vice President, Mr. Namadi Sambo, speculations are rife that Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, are targeting mostly leaders of the rival PDP.
Metuh denies the charge and after weeks in detention, he was granted bail in the sum of N400 million with two sureties who must have properties in Maitama area of Abuja, and who must also deposit N200 million each.
Days after Metuh was granted bail by Justice Okon Abang, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided the Abuja office of the former VP. Speculation are that the raid was an attempt to obtain documents linking the office of the former Vice President to the alleged $2.1 billion arms funds.
EFCC sources said the former VP’s office is being investigated over allegations that some of the funds disbursed for political campaigns under former NSA Sambo Dasuki were routed through his office. It is also alleged that Dasuki had paid the former vice president’s office over N20 million as monthly subvention.
The raid, as well as interrogation and arrest of prominent PDP members is actually narrowing the circle towards President Goodluck Jonathan. Several other leaders of the party, including the former acting national chairman, Halliru Mohammed, former Sokoto governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Minister of National Planning Bashir Yuguda are alleged to be involved in the diversion of arms fund for campaign purposes.
Also last week, Jonathan was mentioned in a $37,000 funds release to Ayo Fayose. Tope Aluko, PDP strongman in Ekiti state had alleged on Channels TV that the funds was disbursed through controversial businessman Ifeanyi Ubah on the instruction of Jonathan. Fayose and Ubah have since denied knowledge of any such transaction.
Sources also revealed within the week that the EFCC is set to slam fresh charges on the Olisa Metuh for allegedly tearing up a confessional statement he made to its operatives. The agency said it is a serious matter to tamper with or destroy evidence in a case. Ever since, Mr. Metuhh has been appearing in handcuffs whenever he is billed for court appearance.
Metuh had allegedly torn the statement after it was presented to him by the investigating officer for endorsement as part of preparations for his prosecution. “Rather than sign the document, Metuh on realising the weight of his confession, seized the documents and proceeded to tear them,” an action that is tantamount to willful destruction of government property, one of our sources said.
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