Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has described himself as a victim of circumstances on the issue of N400 Million he collected from the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and for which he is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

“In this whole saga, he has been an unfortunate victim of circumstances. His refunding the money therefore goes to show his support for the anti-corruption war as well as serve as a testament to his sincerity, integrity and honesty in this matter.”

In a statement issued on Metuh’s behalf by his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, the former chief spokesman of the PDP said that he is now sourcing from the N400 Million from friends and well-wishers to refund it to the Federal government coffers even though he had spent the money for the purpose the former President gave it to him.

Metuh is facing trial for collecting the money meant for arms purchase through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) under Col Sambo Dasuki’s watch.

The statement reads in full:

In the light of the circumstances regarding the case of our client, Chief Olisa Metuh with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), we want to explain the reasons for our client’s proposal to refund the N400 million released to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and which was expended on a project approved by the ex-President on national issues relating to his Presidency and the Federal Government at that time.

1. We want to restate that at the time the money was released to him after his presentation to the ex-President, our client had no knowledge of the source, a fact that is now obvious from the evidence of the prosecution and defence witnesses. Our client had every cause to believe that the money was from the ex-President to whom he made presentation, received directives and rendered report and accounts accordingly.
2. When the matter first came up and Chief Metuh was invited to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in December 2015, he requested to know the source of the money and expressed his readiness to make refunds if it was from government coffers, not minding that the money had been expended as directed by the former President. Officials at ONSA never got back to him as they promised, until his arrest by the EFCC in January 2016.
3. It was however while in court that a document was brought regarding the source of the money and since then, our Client has made manifest his willingness to refund the money and has indeed approached his family, friends and associates to mobilise funds to refund the entire N400 million to the government regardless of the fact that the money had been expended based on the directives of the former President and that part of the money had been recovered from one of the prosecution witnesses.
4. We want to confirm that since then, we have been in talks with the Ministry of Justice, the EFCC and other necessary bodies on how to refund the money and resolve the issue.
5. Our client occupied no government office. His commitment and dedication to his official duties have been confirmed by even prosecution witnesses. In this whole saga, he has been an unfortunate victim of circumstances. His refunding the money therefore goes to show his support for the anti-corruption war as well as serve as a testament to his sincerity, integrity and honesty in this matter.
6. There is no doubt that the prosecution has considerably embarked on some expenses in the course of this case. It is hoped that by not discounting the sum already recovered, whatever cost so far incurred would have been defrayed. By this, a critical objective of recovery of funds would no doubt be achieved.
7. It is pertinent to restate our client’s continued support for the anti-corruption campaign, which is necessary to ensure probity in the affairs of Nigeria to the extent that it is conducted within the rule of law.
8. Finally, it is our client’s prayer that this nation shall come through this difficult time by the grace of the Almighty God. [myad]

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared July 5 and 6 as public holiday to mark the end of the 30-day Muslim Ramadan Fasting and celebration of Eid-el Fitri.
The Minister of Interior, retired Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration in a statement on Thursday.
Dambazau advised all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which are love, peace and justice, to their daily living and through this contribute to the development of the nation.
A statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Bassey Akpanyung, said Dambazau also urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of “this spiritual rejuvenation to reflect on the imperative of unity and peaceful co-existence in strengthening the bond of togetherness for a strong, virile nation”.
The minister, while wishing Nigerians a peaceful celebration, urged total support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s avowed determination to bequeath to the nation an enduring political legacy. [myad]

The Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, A‎bubakar Malami, has made it clear to the Senate that it had no power to invite him over the ongoing trial of forgery of the Senate’s Rules book, preferred against the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; the outgoing Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the Deputy Clerk, Ben Efeturi.

Malami, who spoke through the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Public Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Oblo, who appeared on his behalf on the invitation of the Senate, said that the Red Chamber lacked the jurisdiction to handle the matter.
The Senate had ordered Malami to appear before its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to explain why he had to intervene in the internal affairs of the legislature.
Malami’s representative told the Senate Committee that the matter had gone beyond the Senate, saying that neither the Committee nor the Senate has the jurisdiction over a matter that is already in court.
“This committee has no jurisdiction on this matter. It is clearly beyond it.”
He  informed the Committee that Malami, whom he intended to represent at the session, is not answerable to the Senate, but the President.
The Presidential Aide, who was consequently walked out by the Committee after the offensive submission and on account of not being the one summoned, fired more salvos at the Committee while fielding questions from journalists.
Obono-Obla said: “The AG has not done anything wrong. The AG has not undermined democracy. He acted pursuant to his powers vested on him by the Constitution.
“Section 174 (1) says he can prosecute anybody. And he has done that. The Senate is not on trial.
“He has not taken the Senate to court. He has taken four persons to court. They are not the Senate.
“Being President of the Senate does not make you the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The matter was investigated by the police and a prima facie case was established and the AG invoked his powers under Section 174 (1) to initiate criminal proceedings against those persons.
“And this matter is now before a court of law. There is separation of powers in Nigeria.
“It is not the position of the Senate to constitute themselves into a court of law.‎”
When newsmen sought to know whether the matter is the internal affairs of the Senate, Malami’s representative said: “It is not true. If I go to the chambers of the National Assembly to shoot you, would it be an internal affair?
“The Senate Rule is a law and somebody allegedly forged the rules.”
On the issue of not inviting Saraki by the police, he said: “It doesn’t matter. So, let him go and tell that to the court. That is why he should hands off and allow the court to hear this matter.
“At the end of the day, if it is established that this charge is frivolous, the court will discharge him. But not to take the position that the AG has committed any crime.
“He’s not answerable to them.
“B‎y virtue of the principle of Separation of Powers, he is answerable to the President who appointed him. And he has not done anything wrong. Y‎ou cannot be a judge in your own case.
“We don’t have confidence in the committee.”
The Committee, however, resolved to report the non appearance of Malami before it on the forgery case to the Senate plenary for appropriate action. ‎
The Committee Chairman, David Umaru, said: “having invited the AGF twice to appear before us as mandated by the Senate without him responding to the summons, this committee will surely report the matter to Senate-in-Plenary for appropriate action.” [myad]