Detectives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) probing the $2.1 billion arms contracts have traced at least N400m to the account of a company allegedly linked with Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh.
The company, Destra Investment Limited had N6. 67 million as at November 24, 2014, but by last December, had a balance of N1.4billion.
According to a report by The Nation, EFCC investigators discovered that Destra Investment Limited was used to fund the PDP’s activities, including its 2015 campaign.
Some of the deposits in the account were: N400million from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) on November 24th, 2014; N253million ( December 2nd and 4th, 2014) from Ibrahim Kabiru whose identity was yet to be confirmed; N91million on 2nd December 2014 from Capital Field Investment; and N92million on 3rd December 2014 from Etonye Oyintoneife.
A source in the commission said: “We will invite Metuh any moment from now for clarifications on some of these transactions in this firm, which he allegedly owns.
“By December 2015, the owner of Destra had a turnover of over N1.4billion. There is no document to show that the company executed any job for ONSA. All companies engaged by ONSA appeared before the initial Special Investigative Panel raised by the Presidency.
“Other documents indicated that Metuh was allegedly on a monthly unexplained stipend of N4million cash from ONSA.
“Out of the funds in Destra account, N25million was paid to Abba Dabo, a former Senior Special Assistant Political to former Vice President Namadi Sambo on the 16th of December 2014.
“Also, about N21,776,000 was remitted on 4th December 2014 to an account allegedly belonging to a former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih; N31.5million to his media aide and N50 million to Metuh/Kanayo on the same transaction date.
“We have also established a link between Capital Field Investment and SEI Societe d’equipments Internanaux-Niamey-Niger BP 11737 which was hired by ONSA to purchase €3,654,121million security vehicles for the Republic of Niger in October 2013 and April 2014.”
Reacting last night, Metuh told our correspondent: “Since they are doing a one-sided prosecution without invitation to me, they should continue and get their conviction by the media. Anytime I get invitation, I will honour it.
“I don’t know whether they are investigating the company I have interest in or my office as the National Publicity Secretary of PDP. Whichever one, my hands are very clean in this matter. I am ready to honour their invitation.
“I have not done anything unlawful. Whatever I have done in pursuance of my office, I can defend it anywhere, any time.”