N400million Fraudulent Payment Into Metuh’s Account For Contract Not Awarded

A senior official from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Mr Baleh Ndam, told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that Metuh’s firm, Destra Investments Limited, was among 78 beneficiaries of the alleged fraudulent payment from the ONSA without executing any contract.

Ndam, who testified before trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, added that the N400million electronically wired into the defendant’s company account amounted to alleged fraudulent payment for a contract not awarded.

Ndam is the third witness the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has brought to testify against the PDP spokesman, who alongside his firm, is answering to a seven-count criminal charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N400 million.

In his testimony, yesterday, the PW-3, told the court that since 2012 when he started working in the legal department at the ONSA, he never came across or prepared any contract of any nature between the ONSA and Destra Investments Limited which is the 2nd defendant in the matter.

Led in evidence by EFCC lawyer Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said: “My lord, I am a civil servant in the legal department of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA. I have been working there since 2012.

“My duties include vetting and drafting contracts and memorandum of understanding, among other things. I don’t know Metuh personally and I have not in my official capacity known or heard about Destra Investment Limited.

“I worked under Major-General Muhktar, Gen Aliyu Gusau, Gen Azazi and later, Col. Sambo Dasuki. On November 28, 2015, the ONSA forwarded a letter to the chairman of the EFCC, titled “Payment of contract without award” for necessary action.

“The letter forwarded list of companies and individuals numbering 78 and Destra Investments Limited was one of them.

“Following the letter, the EFCC sent a letter to the ONSA requesting for e-payment mandates of these companies. The letter which was sent to the office of the NSA on January 13, 2016, was signed by one Ibrahim Musa, Head of the STF unit of the EFCC.

“The ONSA replied to the request of the EFCC, forwarding the list of e-payment mandate No. 0799 to the EFCC on January 14, 2016. The reply was signed by M. Abdulrahim, a Group Captain. After the letter was forwarded to the EFCC, I was also invited to write a statement, which I did.”

The witness disclosed that the petition from the ONSA to the EFCC was signed by Lt. Col. Ibrahim A. A who he identified as Special Adviser to the NSA.