Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – Trial of the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh continued Tuesday, with a senior official from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, disclosing how N400million was electronically wired into the company account of the defendant.
Ndam is the third witness the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has brought to testify against the PDP spokesman, who alongside his firm, is answering to a seven-count criminal charge that borders on criminal breach of trust and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N400million.The witness, Mr. Baleh Ndam who testified before trial Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja said that it was the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, that authorized the transfer of the fund into the bank account of Destra Investment Limited, a firm owned by Metuh.
In his testimony, the PW-3, told the court that the court that Metuh’s firm was among a total of 78 companies that allegedly received payments from the ONSA without executing any contract.
He told the court that since 2012 when he started working in the legal department at the ONSA, he never came across or prepared any contract of any nature between the ONSA and Destra Investment Limited which is the 2nd defendant in the matter.
Led into evidence by EFCC lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said: “My lord, I am a civil servant in the legal department of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA. I have been working there since 2012.
“My duties include vetting and drafting contracts and memorandum of understanding, among other things. I don’t know Metuh personally and I have not in my official capacity known or heard about Destra Investment Limited.
“I worked under Major General Muhktar, Gen Aliyu Gusau, Gen Azizia and later Col. Sambo Dasuki. On November 28, 2015, the ONSA forwarded a letter to the Chairman of the EFCC titled “Payment of contract without award”, for necessary action.
“The letter forwarded list of companies and individuals numbering 78 and Destra Investments Limited was one of them.