Dasuki concludes testimony in Metuh’s alleged N400m fraud trial, claims not to recall much

A former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki on Friday continued his testimony in the trial of a former national publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh.

Dasuki who was led in evidence by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said he could not remember how much, or for which purpose the money said to have been paid to Metuh’s company was given.

The EFCC is prosecuting Metuh and his company, Destra Investments Limited for allegedly receiving N400 million from the office of the NSA under Dasuki, for no known purpose.

Fielding questions under cross-examination by the counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, Dasuki, who is Metuh’s eighth defence witness, insisted on his earlier statement that he could no longer remember how much was paid to Metuh or the purpose for the payment.

Asked to confirm the content of the e-payment mandate earlier tendered as exhibit in the case where his name and signature appeared approving the payment of N400 million, he said, “My name has been typed out there.”

Asked again to read out the purpose of the payment as contained in the “e-payment mandate”, Dasuki said, “the purpose of payment: is for security services.”

Read also: METUH: Court throws out Jonathan’s application, as Dasuki mounts witness box

Probing further, the prosecuting counsel asked the former NSA to explain what services Metuh’s company, Destra Investments Limited, which is the second defendant rendered to warrant payment of N400 million to it.”
In his response Dasuki said, “If you want an answer, I still have to refer to my records. It would be useful for the counsel to make himself familiar with the NSA Act.”

Exhibit D1, which was a letter from Diamond Bank in response to a request by the EFCC was also shown to the witness. He was asked to read the narrative in a document attached to the letter.

But responding again, Dasuki said, “I have seen in the document that was produced, exhibit D1, that there is an entry that purports that payment from ONSA in the sum of N400m into the account of Destra Investment Limited.”

Dasuki had when he first appeared in court on Wednesday and led in evidence-in-chief by Metuh’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), claimed that without resort to his records, which he had been denied access to following his detention in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), that he cannot confirm the payment of the alleged millions of Naira given to Metuh or why the money was given.

Dasuki concluded his testimony during his second appearance in court this Friday and was discharged by the court.
The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, has adjourned the mater till December 4 to entertain the defence 9th witness, supposed to be former President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

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