The national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Thursday returned to court, this time on a two-count charge bordering on his alleged destruction of evidence against him.
Metuh, who had earlier on Tuesday appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja over his involvement in the now famous $2.1 billion arms deal scandal, was docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama, on the latest charge.
Despite the uproar that greeted the appearance of the PDP spokesman in handcuffs on Tuesday, the Nigerian prison authorities still Metuh was again brought to court in handcuffs by prison officials. He pleaded not guilty to the charge read to his hearing.
EFCC told the court that the PDP spokesman, who is also facing another seven-count criminal charge before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja, tore and attempted to chew a confessional statement he made under caution while undergoing interrogation, which is said to be contrary to sections 166 and 326 of the Penal Code Act…
The anti-graft agency maintained that the said statement would have been vital to its prosecution of the criminal case pending against Metuh before the Federal High Court.
Justice Ishaq Bello has since adjourned hearing on Metuh’s bail application till Monday, but queried why the EFCC failed to incorporate the current charge to the one already pending before the FHC.
Justice Abang had on Tuesday, granted Metuh bail to the tune of N400million. The court however ordered that he should be remanded at Kuje prisons pending when he completes the bail conditions.
