The new charge came less than 48 hours after the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted him bail over a seven-count charge of corruption and money laundering.
The EFCC operatives today, drove the embattled spokesman of the largest party in Africa into the premises of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, preparatory to slamming fresh charges on him.
He was led to the court today also in handcuffs, though the handcuffs were removed shortly before he taken before Justice Ishaq Bello.
Count one of the charge contains allegation of destruction of a statement he had made at the commission, to prevent it from being produced, while count two of the charge is an allegation of mischief, which are punishable under section 327 of the Penal Code Act.
After pleading not guilty to the said charges, counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, asked for more time to allow his team present witnesses and evidence in support of the allegations against the politician.
Justice Bello, who is the chief judge of the FCT High Court, said that the EFCC must produce three witnesses during the next sitting, without fail, adding that it was needless to have the case brought before him if it was already ongoing at a Federal High Court.
But EFCC counsel, Mr. Sylvanus, explained that the new charges, filed on January 18, were not the same as those currently being heard at the Federal High Court.
The matter was adjourned till January 25, for hearing of an application for bail, while information would be relayed later on whether or not the substantive suit would be heard tomorrow.
Mr. Metuh was also asked to return to Kuje Prison.
It would be recalled that t he EFCC had on January 12 accused Metuh of tearing off a confessional statement he made to its operatives, indicating it would charge him separately for attempting to destroy a major evidence in the case against him.
“The tearing of statement is tantamount to willful destruction of government property and it is a serious offence,” the official had told this newspaper at the time. “Also the fact that he obstructed operatives from performing their job is also a criminal offence. We will explore the possibility of filling a separate charge against him at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.”
In the original case for which he is standing trial at the Federal High Court, Metuh is facing a seven-count charge of corruption. He is accused of receiving N400 million from former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Sambo Dasuki. The amount is part of the allegedly diverted sum of $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms.
Justice Okon Abang had, Tuesday this week, granted him bail. [myad]
