N400m farud: Metuh’s efforts for Dasuki to testify for him suffers setback

Efforts by the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh for the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Mohammed Dasuki to testify for him in court as defence witness on Tuesday suffered a setback as the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to release the former NSA from detention.

Metuh is standing trial along with Destra Investment Limited before the Federal High Court in Abuja  for allegedly receiving the sum of N400 million from the former NSA and using same for political activities of the PDP in the 2015 general elections.

The former PDP spokesman had earlier applied to the court to suphean Dasuki to come and testify for him as defence witness, but the trial Judge, Justice Okon Abang refused to grant the application.

In an effort to make Dasuki witness for him in the seven-count charge filed against him by the Federal Government, Metuh had written to the Director General of the DSS to release the former NSA to enable him stand as witness for him in his trial.

In the letter DSS signed by his counsel, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) dated 19th of June and titled, “Further Notice to Produce Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki in Federal High Court”, reads in parts, “Pursuant to the letter written in respect to production of the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki to court to testify on behalf of Chief Olisa Metuh, we inform you that his presence shall be needed tomorrow at the Federal High Court; Coram  Justice Okong Abang sitting at Court 9, Federal High Court Maitama.”

The letter sought the cooperation of the DSS boss to release the former NSA from custody to enable him testify in court him in the seven-count charge slammed against him by the Federal Government.

Recalled that Justice Abang had, on Monday turned down Metuh’s application for leave to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment and for stay of proceedings in his matter pending the outcome of his appeal at the Supreme Court.

The trial court adjourned the matter till today for the continuation of the evidence of the 7th defence witness and the continuation trial.