Dasukigate: How we Helped Metuh to Launder $3m- Witnesses … PDP Spokesman Seeks Bail Variation
Adetokunbo Fakeye
The first prosecution witness (PW1), in the case against the embattled spokesperson of the Nigeria main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Nneka Ararume, a staff of Asset Resources Managemnet, ARM while being led in evidence on Monday by prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir before Justice O.E Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, said she was given the sum of $2million (two million dollars) in cash by Metuh to change through a Bureau De Change operator and was asked to pay the naira equivalent into Destra Investment Limited bank account.
However, immediately the prosecution witness made the statement, Metuh’s counsel, Ikpeazu, SAN, prayed the court to adjourn to a later date for cross-examination to enable him get the necessary document in respect of the claim, but application was vehemently objected to by the prosecution counsel.
In a bench ruling, Justice Abang refused the prayer of the defence, stating that there is no sufficient material before the court to oblige the defence of their request.
He ordered the defence to cross-examine the witness immediately.
Answering questions during cross-examination, Ararume maintained that, the transaction was conducted on trust and that she had no idea of how long it took the defendant to gather the said sum.
Also testifying, the second prosecution witness (PW2), Sie Iyenome, a Bureau De Change operator, told the court that, he was contacted by PW1 to buy the sum of $1million (one million dollar).
According to Iyenome, the transaction was done through Capital Field Investment and Trustees and the naira equivalent totaling N183m (one hundred and eighty three million naira) was paid into Destra Investment Limited bank account as agreed.
Under cross-examination, the PW2 stated that the transaction was legal and that, it was carried out with due diligence.
Justice Abang, thereafter, adjourned the matter to January 26, 2015 for continuation of trial.
Metuh who is still being held in Kuje prison custody for failure to perfect his bail conditions had, before the commencement of his trial today(Monday) prayed the court for bail variation through his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN.
