Witness implicates ex President in Metuh’s trial

Abonyi said former President Goodluck Jonathan gave the nod for the sum of N400m to be paid into Metuh’s bank account.

Metuh is standing trial for allegedly receiving N400m from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

The money has also been linked with the $2.1b meant for procurement of weapons for the military to prosecute the war against Boko Haram, which Dasuki allegedly diverted.

The witness, Abonyi said “After the presentation, the President asked for comment from those sitting with him and most of the speakers made positive remarks about what they saw in our presentation.

“The Office of the Media Adviser, (Dr. Reuben Abati), did the presentation; Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs, and some other professionals brought in by party and government officials also did presentation.”

The witness also said “Ultimately, given the comments of people that were sitting with the President, I recalled vividly the comments of a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, who told the President that what the team presented should be put into action; they should be quickly mobilised because if nothing was done immediately before the President started the campaign, it would be difficult to win the election given the public perception of him and his government at that time.”

Abonyi added that “The President then said since it appeared to be the consensus of the people with him then that Metuh and his team did a better job, he would advise that all the others should collapse into Chief Metuh’s team, because he would want the consultant to provide the direction.

READ: Nigeria is finished with Goodluck Jonathan

“At that point, the President told Chief Metuh that he had done a good job but that the real job was still out there to put all these into action and told him to bring a corporate account to him for immediate mobilisation and action.”

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) has warned against what it perceives as the government's attempt to arrest former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Watch video report below.