National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, was Thursday morning slammed with a fresh two-count charge of attempt to destroy a confessional statement he allegedly made the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The arraignment at the FCT High Court came less than 48 hours after the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja granted him bail over a seven-count charge of corruption.
Like it happened on Tuesday, Metuh was brought to court in handcuffs which were later removed.
He was later brought before Justice Ishaq Bello and accused of attempting to destroy information provided during his cross examination at the office of the EFCC.
Count one of the charge contains allegation of destruction of a statement he had given at the commission, to prevent it from being produced, while count two of the charge revolves around allegations of mischief, all punishable under section 327 of the Penal Code Act.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, asked for more time to allow his team present witnesses and evidence in support of the allegations against the embattled politician.
Justice Bello, who is the chief judge of the FCT High Court, requested the EFCC to produce three witnesses during the next sitting.
He noted that it was needless to have the case brought before him if it was already ongoing at a Federal High Court.
Sylvanus, however, explained that the new charges, filed on January 18, were not the same as those currently being heard at the Federal High Court.
The matter was adjourned till January 25, for hearing of an application for bail, while information would be relayed later on whether or not the substantive suit would be heard Friday.
Metuh was subsequently returned to Kuje Prison.
The EFCC had on January 12 accused Metuh of tearing a confessional statement he made to its operatives, indicating it would charge him separately for attempting to destroy a major evidence in the case against him.
He is already facing a seven-count charge of corruption at the Federal High Court over receipt of N400 million from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. The amount is part of the $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms which was allegedly diverted.
Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court granted him bail on Tuesday.
The conditions for bail are a deposit of a N400 million bond, provision of two sureties who must have properties in Maitama area of Abuja, and who must also deposit N200 million each.
He is yet to meet the bail conditions.
If I am glad for anything it is the crop of Justices in whose courtrooms Metuh’s arraignments are taking place.
I acknowledge the backlash the Judiciary as an arm of government has been experiencing for quite some time now.
However I am quite disposed to say that these two Justices – M’lord Ishaq Bello, the Honourable Chief Judge of the High Court, FCT and M’lord Okon Abang, a Honourable Justice of the Federal High Court – are amongst the finest the Bench in Nigeria currently has in her kitty.
Justice Isaq Bello is a very thorough adjudicator who is known to set realistic timelines and conditions to afford both the accuser and the aggrieved room to state their causes and plead their case.
Justice Okon Abang, a practising lawyer prior to his incursion on the bench has shown in a number of landmark cases he has handled the ability to bring to bear a combination of his experience as a practising lawyer and advocate in his new position as a judge.
I should know – because I was privileged to undertake my Law School Court attachment in Justice Bello’s Court – Court 9 – prior to his elevation as the Chief Judge of the High Court, FCT.; and I have appeared a couple of times before Justice Abang at the Ikoyi, Lagos division of the Federal High Court.
I am assured that the expectations of majority of well meaning Nigerians to see that justice is done in these matters will be meet – if the EFCC does not mess us up!!!