I received $2 million from Metuh – Witness

A former wealth manager with Assets Resource Management (ARM), Nneka Ararume, on Monday told court that she received $2 million from the national publicity secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh.

Olisa Metuh arriving the court with handcuffs

Ararume, was brought to the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a witness in the ongoing case against the PDP spokesman.

“In December 2014, I received the sum of $2 million in $100 bills for future investments in favour of Dextra Investments,” Ararume said.

She continued: “We only have access to the funds when the client transfers money to us or when the client asks us to transfer money to them, we have all client’s account details on file.”

When examined Ararume also said does not know precisely how long it took Metuh to accumulate the said sum. She added that Metuh was already running the portfolio as a client before she joined ARM in April, 2013.

But before the witness came up on the witness box, the defense counsel filed for a variation of bail as the bail conditions given earlier could not be met.

The defense counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu had earlier informed the court about its pending application seeking for a variation.

Ikpeazu also called for a stay of trial but was overruled by the judge, Okon Abang based on the fact that it was never raised at the commencement of trial.

Having received the bail application, Abang notified the court that the trial will continue as scheduled. The judge however adjourned ruling on the variation of bail application to Wednesday, January 27.

Metuh is standing trial on charges bordering on money laundering and illegal receipt of money from the former president, Goodluck Jonathan.

He was granted N400 million bail by Abang and subsequently N300 million bail and two sureties in like sum by Justice Ishaq Bello of an Abuja High for shredding a statement he made while in EFCC’s custody.

Metuh from all indication is yet to perfect his bail conditions as confirmed by his counsel in an application for variation of bail.

The case has however been adjourned to Tuesday, January 26.

Earlier today, at the beginning of the hearing of the PDP’s spokesman, he was docked at the court. He was again brought to the court in handcuffs.