METU’S TRIAL: EFCC Files a Rejoinder to Proceed On Trial without Jonathan

THE Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC) on Tuesday filed a rejoinder arguing that it could competently proceed on the trial of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, without involving former President Goodluck Jonathan in the case.

EFCC’s submission followed Metuh’s argument that since the former President Goodluck Jonathan was linked to the payment of funds for his presidential campaign, the ex-president should be a competent witness in the case.

The PDP spokesperson is facing charges bothering on corruption and money laundering through his company, Destra Investment Limited in conjunction with the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki over funds statutorily allocated for arms procurement. According to his statements, the said money was released pursuant to a directive from the Goodluck Jonathan, however, the anti-graft agency said it has not been able to trace the link from the former President.

In an application filed through his lawyer seeking to strike out the case, Metu sought for his discharge arguing that Jonathan was a principal witness in the matter adding that without the EFCC inviting him to testify, the matter cannot proceed to arrive at a just end with dispensation of justice accordingly.

However, the EFCC in a rejoinder stated that it had substantially investigated Metu with no link to the former President and therefore urged the court to dismiss the application for lack of merit adding that it has effectively established its case with the number of witnesses invited to testify in court.