* Metuh
As the trial of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh continued Tuesday before Justice Okon Abang  of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Baleh Ndam, a legal officer in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has testified that  Destra Investment Limited, a company owned by Metuh, was among 78 companies that received money from Sambo Dasuki, former NSA, without an award of contracts.

 Ndam proffered that  “On November 28, 2015, the National Security Adviser forwarded a letter entitled ‘Payment to companies without contract awards’ to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). There were 78 companies, and Destra Investment Limited was one of them.

 “Following the letter, the EFCC sent a letter to the ONSA requesting for e-payment mandates for these companies; their letter was on January 13, 2016.”

 However, Onyechi Ikpeazu, counsel to Metuh, objected to the claim of the witness, arguing that the e-payment mandates were not admissible in court because they were computer generated, hence they must come from “the maker”.

 He therefore urged the court to reject the document as evidence in the case.

 But Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to the EFCC, described Ikpeazu’s objection as “highly misconceived”. He argued that all documents tendered before the court were relevant in the case.

 “We urge your lordship to discountenance the objection,” he said.

 Earlier, Justice  Abang had stood down the trial of Metuh for an hour following the failure of prison officers to bring him to court in time.

 When the case was mentioned, the prosecution counsel observed that Metuh was absent. He asked the court for some time for the accused person to come in from prison.

 After listening to the counsel, Abang advised that prison officers must learn to adhere to stipulated time, and warned that he would not condone any further tardiness.

 Metuh is a facing a seven-count charge of money laundering. Although has been granted bail to the sum of N400 million, he is yet to perfect the conditions for it.

 The party spokesman is also facing a two-count charge of destruction of documents at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja. He has been granted bail to the sum of N300 million, but he is yet to fulfill the conditions for it.