Ex-PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh jailed 39 years

 

• For laundering N400 million

 

BY OUR EDITOR

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced former Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olisa Metuh to a total of 39 years imprisonment.

He will however serve seven years in prison as the court held that the sentences shall run concurrently, meaning that he would only spend the highest number of years of jail term, which is seven.

Metuh’s sentencing which came after four years of trial was sequel to his conviction in a money laundering charge against him by the federal government.

Metuh and his company, Dextra Investment Limited were arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N400 million received from the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Rtd).

They were also accused of laundering the sum of $2 million and conversion of public funds for private use.

But the former PDP spokesman claimed that the said funds were for a national assignment as directed by the then President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

However, delivering judgment in the case, Justice Okon Abang held that the prosecution was able to establish the ingredients of guilt in all the seven-count charge against Metuh and his company.

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Justice Abang accordingly handed down the minimum years as prescribed by section 15 of the money laundering Act.

For count one, the judge sentenced Metuh to seven years imprisonment; count two, seven years; count three, five years; count four, seven years; count five, three years with a fine of N25 million; count six, three years with a fine of N25 million and count seven, seven years imprisonment.

The sentences which are to run concurrently according to the judge comes into effect from the day the judgment was delivered.

While the court ordered the winding up of Dextra Investment Limited and the balance in the firm’s bank accounts be forfeited to the federal government, Justice Abang in addition imposed a fine of N375 million on Metuh.