Former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Olisa Metuh disclosed yesterday at the Federal High Court in Abuja that he’s unable to feed his family due to his frozen bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Metuh said he discovered early yesterday that no debit order was placed on his accounts on Monday night, when he tried to make a transaction in one of the accounts but was unsuccessful.
He made this known while testifying at the resumed hearing in his trial. Metuh is being tried, with his company, Destra Investment, on charges of money laundering.
Metuh, who is testifying as his own witness, said his frozen account has made it difficult for him to either feed his family or buy commodities such as water or Panadol.
He said: “The EFCC seized my accounts yesterday night and I can’t get money to feed my family. I am in total shock as I am here talking to you.
“I don’t even know what to say. They seized all my accounts in every bank in this country. As I am, I don’t have money to buy Panadol or water to drink.”
Metuh linked the freezing of his accounts with his ongoing trial, in which he is accused of unlawfully receiving N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2014.
Metuh acknowledged that what the EFCC earlier seized included assets with the Asset and Resource Management Company Limited and his funds in other banks.
He noted that the deed of the EFCC has deprived him access to his funds worth more than the amount at stake in the trial.
Metuh remarked “They have alleged in this case that N400 million was stolen. Why would they not limit it to that amount?
“I don’t know how I am going to feed my family? I don’t have access to any money at all. I am ready to end this case and submit myself to the judgment of this court.”
Metuh’s lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) in his reaction said he did not object to what his client said, but except the part where he spoke about ending the case.
The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, however noted that the issue Metuh raised about his accounts did not coincide with the case before the court.
The judge asked Metuh to ask his lawyer to discuss the issue with the lead prosecuting lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, who was equally in court.
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