$2.1bn Arms Deal: Olisa Metuh Spends First Night In EFCC Cell |N1.4bn Traced To Coy

 The spotlight in the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has beamed on the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olisa Metuh, who is currently cooling off in the Commission’s cell in Abuja.

Metuh was apprehended at his residence located at Drive One, Prince and Princess Estate, in the Games Village area of Abuja on Tuesday, January 5, by four operatives of the anti-graft agency.

READ ALSO: $2.1b Arms Deal: EFCC Captures Top Military Officer | Metuh, Anenih To Be Grilled

It was learnt that he spent the first night with his interrogators at the headquarters of the EFCC, answering questions on how the sum of N1.4 billion strayed from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser into a company, Destra, linked to him.
Metuh had agreed that he collected undisclosed sum of money from former President Goodluck Jonathan. But he said he got the undisclosed amount from carrying out unspecific work as the spokesperson for the PDP for the former President.

READ ALSO: Only In A Period Of Tyranny Are People Probed On Newspapers Pages – Metuh To EFCC

The revelation by Metuh, according to EFCC officials, prompted the agency to beam its searchlight on cash payments from the ONSA, leading to the discovery that he was one of the major beneficiaries of slush funds, now a subject of investigation and prosecution by the Federal Government, Vanguard reports.
It was learnt that out of the $2.1 billion arms funds, N400 million was transferred from ONSA to the company on November 24, 2014, which previously had a balance of N6, 676,576.06 only before the major transfer from the ONSA.

READ ALSO: PDP Spokesperson, Olisa Metuh In EFCC’s Custody?

A top source in the EFCC said that Metuh was also receiving a monthly pay of N4 million from ONSA.

The source said: “We arrested Chief Metuh this morning (yesterday) and as we speak he is still being questioned and it is not likely that he will be released today.
“We want to finish the interrogation of Metuh at once, so that we can decide whether to charge him to court or let him to go,” the source said.

Metuh, has, however slammed his arrest by the EFCC, claiming that he was being persecuted.

“I have not done anything unlawful. Whatever I have done in pursuance of my office, I can defend it anywhere, any time,” he said.

The Nation divulged 5 revelations which led to Metuh’s arrest as:

– The company, Destra Investment Limited, which is alleged to be Metuh’s had N6. 67 million as at November 24, 2014, but by last December, had a balance of N1.4billion
– EFCC investigators discovered that Destra Investment Limited was used to fund the PDP’s activities, including its 2015 campaign.
– N400million was said to be deposited into the account from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) on November 24th 2014 and there is no document to show that the company executed any job for ONSA.
– Other deposits were 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.
– Other documents indicated that Metuh was allegedly on a monthly unexplained stipend of N4million cash from ONSA.