Encomium
With every new week comes a new twist in the intriguing probe into how $2.1 billion meant for procurement of firearms was allegedly looted.
More names are added to the ever burgeoning list of alleged beneficiaries of the largesse, leaving many mouths agape. ENCOMIUM Weekly brings you a weekly update on the unfolding drama…
EX-VP SAMBO’S AIDE ADMITS RECEIVING N25 MILLION FOR WEBSITE
A former aide to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Abba Dabo, on Thursday, February 4, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he was paid N25 million by Metuh, to create a website.
The money was part of the N400 million arms purchase funds allegedly given to Mr. Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Ltd by Dasuki. Dabo, while being led in evidence by the counsel to EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, told Justice Okon Abang that he was paid the money through Metuh’s company.
DASUKI’S TRIAL STALLED, AGAIN
The trial of embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki was on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 stalled again as Department of State Service (DSS) operatives failed to produce him in court.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, told the court at the commencement of the trial that he made correspondents to his clients for the accused’s release but that the DSS said the release request was late.
The retired colonel appeared in court two hours after the hearing had commenced, and after Justice Affen Peter of FCT High Court had adjourned the case till Friday, February 26, 2016. That was the third trial that has been stalled due to Colonel Dasuki’s continued detention.
EFCC STORMS EX-VP SAMBO’S ABUJA OFFICE
As investigation into the $2.1 billion arms scandal intensifies, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday, January 30, 2016, raided the Abuja office of former Vice President, Namadi Sambo.
A high-ranking official of the anti-graft agency, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the raid took place on Saturday when its operatives stormed the architect’s office located at the Central Business District, CBD, Abuja. The raid is believed to be a follow-up to an earlier arrest of two Namadi Sambo aides in January by the EFCC who were questioned.
METUH MEETS BAIL CONDITION, RELEASED FROM PRISON
Under fire spokesperson of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, on Thursday, January 28, 2016, regained his freedom after he met his bail conditions. Metuh had on January 19, been granted bail but remained in detention after failing to meet the terms which included a N400 million bond and two sureties who own properties in the Maitama district of Abuja each depositing N200 million. On Tuesday, January 26, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja relaxed the conditions, agreeing that the sureties could own properties in other areas of Abuja after he had asked the court to vary the terms.
BANK STAFF REVEALS HOW DASUKI TRANSFERRED N400 MILLION TO METUH
A witness testifying before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, January 27, revealed that former NSA, Dasuki paid N400 million into Olisa Metuh’s account on November 24, 2014.
The witness, Eno Mfon Effiong, a Diamond Bank staff, is the fourth prosecution witness to testify before Justice Okon Abang on the case. She informed the court that she has been managing Destra Investment Ltd – owned by the embattled PDP chieftain – account since February 10, 2014 when it was opened at the bank. She confirmed that the said sum was paid into the company’s account from the Office of the NSA.
… MORE WITNESSES INDICT METUH AS HEARING CONTINUES
The EFCC presented more witnesses to defend their case against Metuh on Thursday, January 28, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The counsel to EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, presented Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, a public relations consultant and Kabiru Ibrahim, a bureau de change operator,
as hearing resumed on Thursday and they testified as fifth and sixth prosecution witness respectively.
Ibrahim told the court that he exchanged $1million for Destra Investment Ltd, adding that he was given the money by one Nnena Nicole Ararume in 2014 and it was transferred into the account of Metuh’s company. The first prosecution witness, Ararume, had on January 25, informed the court that she was given the sum of $2 million, which she exchanged into Nigerian currency for Metuh. Ararume explained that she gave $1million of the money to one Sie Iyenome – who appeared as the second prosecution witness – and the other half to Ibrahim who also exchanged it.
- MICHAEL NWOKIKE
