Senator Iroegbu in Abuja
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, wednesday appeared as the third defence witness (DW3) for the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, who is standing trial over his alleged role in the $2.1 billion arms deal involving the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
Okupe informed the court how his former boss, Jonathan, directed that N400 million be paid to Metuh
Metuh is being prosecuted alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited, on a seven-count charge before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He is accused of allegedly receiving N400million from Dasuki.
At an earlier sitting on Tuesday, the defence had presented Mr. Colex Ifeanyi Odenigbo, a consultant with Q-time Nigeria Limited, who had told the court that, there was a remittance of N450million from the Office of the NSA to Destra Nigeria Limited; the source of which he said was not made known to him.
Also at the resumed sitting yesterday, Okupe while being led in evidence by Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), narrated how he was part of the meeting in which Metuh made a presentation on what could be done to launder the image of the then president and that of the PDP.
“After the meeting, the president said he will make a directive for Metuh to be mobilised with funds to carry out the project. The next day, Metuh called me to tell me that his account had been credited with N400milion,” Okupe said.
Under cross-examination by the counsel to EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, Okupe, admitted that government institutions and agencies are not part of the organs of the party.
When shown one of the exhibits (e-payment mandate) from the Office of the NSA, detailing the transfer of the sum N400million to Destra Investment Limited, Okupe claimed he does not understand the document neither does he know what it is all about.
Thereafter, Ikpeazu sought for an adjournment on the grounds that Metuh has a health challenge.
Consequently, Justice Abang adjourned to today, May 19, 2016 for continuation of defence.
