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The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, granted N400 million bail to the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Olisa Metuh.
Metuh, who is answering to a seven-count criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Alongside his firm, Destra Investment Limited, charged before the court with over alleged N400 million fraud involving the Office of the National Security Adviser.
NigerianBulletin prepared 7 good reasons why Justice Abang, in his bench ruling yesterday, said he was favourably disposed to granting bail to the accused person (Olisa Metuh) based on the following:
- His lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, who argued the application, yesterday, urged the court to grant his client bail on self recognition.
- That Metuh's offence are ordinarily bailable
- That Olisa Metuh voluntarily submitted himself to the EFCC.
- That Olisa had every opportunity to escape from the country prior to the time he was invited by the anti-graft agency, but refused to do so.
- Metuh's Counsel also drew the attention of the court to the fact that the former NSA, Dasuki, and other persons also facing similar charges by the EFCC have all secured bail from different courts.
- The Court said that the EFCC could not establish its allegation that the accused person destroyed his statement.
- That Olisa Metuh is in the eyes of the law presumed innocent until proved guilty.
However, the court, yesterday, declined Metuh’s prayer for it to restrain the EFCC from re-arresting him upon fulfilment of the conditions.
While adjourning full-blown hearing on the matter till January 25, the judge asked the EFCC to summon its witnesses to be prepared for trial.
Metuh, who is answering to a seven-count criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Alongside his firm, Destra Investment Limited, charged before the court with over alleged N400 million fraud involving the Office of the National Security Adviser.
NigerianBulletin prepared 7 good reasons why Justice Abang, in his bench ruling yesterday, said he was favourably disposed to granting bail to the accused person (Olisa Metuh) based on the following:
- His lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, who argued the application, yesterday, urged the court to grant his client bail on self recognition.
- That Metuh's offence are ordinarily bailable
- That Olisa Metuh voluntarily submitted himself to the EFCC.
- That Olisa had every opportunity to escape from the country prior to the time he was invited by the anti-graft agency, but refused to do so.
- Metuh's Counsel also drew the attention of the court to the fact that the former NSA, Dasuki, and other persons also facing similar charges by the EFCC have all secured bail from different courts.
- The Court said that the EFCC could not establish its allegation that the accused person destroyed his statement.
- That Olisa Metuh is in the eyes of the law presumed innocent until proved guilty.
However, the court, yesterday, declined Metuh’s prayer for it to restrain the EFCC from re-arresting him upon fulfilment of the conditions.
While adjourning full-blown hearing on the matter till January 25, the judge asked the EFCC to summon its witnesses to be prepared for trial.
