EFCC to quiz Metuh over N1.4b in firm’s account PDP spokesman denies role in $2.1b arms contracts

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) detectives probing the $2.1 billion arms
contracts have traced N1.4billion to the account
of a company allegedly linked with Peoples
Democratic Party(PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh.
There were indications yesterday that the
account of the company, Destra Investment
Limited, may be frozen when the ongoing probe
gets to a “convenient bend”.
The anti-graft commission has placed the
activities of the company and its bank
transactions under surveillance.
The Department of State Service (DSS) has also
invited Metuh for interaction on some issues.
The DSS’ invitation has, however, attracted
protests from some PDP leaders.
According to sources, EFCC investigators
discovered that Destra Investment Limited was
used to fund the PDP’s activities, including its
2015 campaign.
The EFCC found that the company, which had
N6, 676,576.06 as at November 24, 2014,
recorded a balance of N1.4billion by last
December.
Some of the strange deposits in the account are:
N400million from the Office of National Security
Adviser (ONSA) on November 24th, 2014;
N253million ( December 2nd and 4th, 2014) from
Ibrahim Kabiru whose identity was yet to be
confirmed; N91million on 2nd December 2014
from Capital Field Investment; and N92million on
3rd December 2014 from Etonye Oyintoneife.
A source in the commission said: “We will invite
Metuh any moment from now for clarifications
on some of these transactions in this firm, which
he allegedly owns.
“From our records, part of the $2.1billion arms
cash has been traced to Destra Investment
Limited. About N400million was transferred from
ONSA to the company on November 24, 2014
which had a balance of N6, 676,576.06 only
before major in flow from the ONSA.
“By December 2015, the owner of Destra had a
turnover of over N1.4billion. There is no
document to show that the company executed
any job for ONSA. All companies engaged by
ONSA appeared before the initial Special
Investigative Panel raised by the Presidency.
“Other documents indicated that Metuh was
allegedly on a monthly unexplained stipend of
N4million cash from ONSA.
“Out of the funds in Destra account, N25million
was paid to Abba Dabo, a former Senior Special
Assistant Political to former Vice President
Namadi Sambo on the 16th of December 2014.
“Also, about N21,776,000 was remitted on 4th
December 2014 to an account allegedly
belonging to a former Minister of Works, Chief
Tony Anenih; N31.5million to his media aide and
N50 million to Metuh/Kanayo on the same
transaction date.
“We have also established a link between Capital
Field Investment and SEI Societe d’equipments
Internanaux-Niamey-Niger BP 11737 which was
hired by ONSA to purchase €3,654,121million
security vehicles for the Republic of Niger in
October 2013 and April 2014.”
Metuh has accused the EFCC of subjecting him
to media trial, The EFCC source rejected the
accusation, saying: “Metuh is not on media trial
at all but he is being investigated and the public
should know why he is under searchlight.
“You will recall that the EFCC did not talk about
the ongoing probe until Metuh openly admitted
that he got some funds from ex-President
Goodluck Jonathan but he refused to disclose
the amount and the purpose.
“When he was aware that this commission was
closing in on him, he also said some forces were
after him. We refused to join the political fray
because we are a professional agency.
“But we owe Nigerians a duty to reveal the facts
at our disposal to let them appreciate the extent
of what we are doing. EFCC is not out to witch-
hunt anybody or group; we will, however, recover
all traceable funds meant for arms.”
The source claimed that “the account of Destra
and accruing transactions have been placed on
surveillance.
“If there is need to freeze the account, we will
do so later but we are yet to get to this
investigative level, “ the top source added.
Reacting last night, Metuh told our
correspondent: “Since they are doing a one-sided
prosecution without invitation to me, they should
continue and get their conviction by the media.
Anytime I get invitation, I will honour it.
“I don’t know whether they are investigating the
company I have interest in or my office as the
National Publicity Secretary of PDP. Whichever
one, my hands are very clean in this matter. I am
ready to honour their invitation.
“I have not done anything unlawful. Whatever I
have done in pursuance of my office, I can
defend it anywhere, any time.”
There was disquiet in PDP following Metuh’s
invitation by the DSS.
It was learnt that the invitation had to do with
payment of about N9m-N10million to the
Anambra State chapter of PDP about five years
ago.
A party source said: “I think the APC government
is just out to silence Metuh at all cost. What has
he done to deserve the recurring pressure and
intimidation?
“When the PDP was in power, the APC was
allowed to criticise the administration of ex-
President Goodluck Jonathan. There is no way
Metuh can be isolated from PDP, which he
represents. We are unhappy as a party that they
are trying to muzzle the opposition.
“It is not in the interest of our democracy to go
after opposition leaders and coerce them into
silence. What has Metuh got to do with a five-
year issue in Anambra State?”