Justice O. E. Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, granted bail to the National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metu.

Metuh, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial CrimesCommission, EFCC, on a 7-count charge bordering on money laundering, is alleged to have received N400 million (Four hundred million naira) from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) who is being tried for laundering $2.1 billion.

He was arrested on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 by EFCC operatives and arraigned before Justice Abang on January 15, 2016.
Moving the bail application, Metuh’s counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, prayed the court to grant the accused bail on the grounds that “the defendant has no reason whatsoever not to appear in court”.

He said, “we make reference to exhibit B which is a newspaper publication where the defendant, prior to his detention, had stated his willingness to appear before the EFCC at anytime to answer questions.”

Responding, the prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, urged the court to deny the defendant bail on the grounds that “his application is bereft of necessary materials to grant bail”.

“The offence for which he is charged is punishable with sentence exceeding 3 years, therefore the court should be judicious in the excise of its discretion”, he said.

Justice Abang thereafter granted the accused bail in the sum of N400,000,000 (Four hundred million naira) and two sureties in the sum of N200million each. Each of the sureties must have landed properties each in Maitama, Abuja and must provide 3 years tax clearance. They must submit affidavit, with 2 passports each, attesting that they have the wherewithal to pay the said sum in event of the defendant jumping bail.

The defendant is to deposit his international passport with the court registrar.

The matter was adjourned to January 25, 2016 for the commencement of trial.

Media & Publicity
19th January, 2016