Olisa Metuh knew of conviction, went to court with his bag packed

The incarcerated former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oliseh Metuh, knew of his conviction on Tuesday by Justice Okon Abang before going to court for judgement on the accusation of N400 million money laundry. A close source to the former PDP spokesman told National Daily that Metuh was prepared for them, he knew before the judgement was delivered that the court will convict. So, Metuh packed his bag while going to the court on Tuesday, taking his toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, drugs, etc. with him to the court.

Our source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) want to celebrate the first year anniversary of the second tenure with Oliseh Metuh, using the former PDP national publicity secretary to tell Nigerians and the international community that they are achieving in fighting corruption in the country.

Our source further disclosed that President Buhari had allegedly planned to imprison Metuh in May 2016, having perceived him a political enemy for his caustic statements on the President during the campaign for the 2015 general elections into the inchoate stage of the Buhari administration. The source added that Metuh was strictly on target for performing his duty for his political parties; pointing out that former APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said worse things against former President Goodluck Jonathan, and did more damage to the country under the guise of opposition politics, yet, he was not molested or marked out for vindictive sanctions. He decried that the president and the ruling APC felt Oliseh Metuh was attacking them whereas he was performing his duties.

The Federal High Court presided by Justice Okon Abang in Abuja on Tuesday sentenced Olisa Metuh, to seven years imprisonment having found him guilty of N400 million money laundry.

ALSO READ: Court convicts Olisa Metuh for money laundering

Justice Okon Abang delivering judgment on seven count charges of money laundering and criminal diversion of funds in the sum of N400 million found Metuh guilty and convicted after four years of protracted prosecution.

Justice Abang in his judgement, sentenced Metuh to seven years imprisonment in respect to Counts One to Three.

On Count Four, the presiding Judge sentenced Metuh to five years imprisonment, giving another seven, three and seven years for Counts Five, Six, and Seven years, respectively.

He, however, held that all the sentences should run concurrently, with effect from February 25, 2020.

The trial judge also sentenced Dextra Investment to pay a fine of N25 million with respect to Counts Five and Six, while Metuh was also ordered to pay a fine of N375 million.

Justice Abang further ordered that the account of Dextra Investment should be forfeited to the Federal Government and the company be dissolved.

The charges were filed against Metuh and his company, Destra Investment, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).