In the two-count criminal charge, Metuh, who was again brought to court from Kuje Prisons handcuffed, was docked for allegedly attempting to destroy the evidence expected to be used in his trial in the alleged N400million fraud case at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
He was first arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charges of corruption and money laundering. He is yet to perfect the N400million bail granted him by the court on Tuesday.
At the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where he was arraigned yesterday before the Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, Metuh was alleged to have forcefully seized the confessional statement he allegedly made to the EFCC on the alleged fraud and tore it into shreds.
Metuh docked and still wearing the grey beard, he, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts
The charges read in part: “That you, Chief Olisa Metuh, while in the custody of EFCC, destroyed evidence to prevent production in court during trial, contrary to section 1 of Penal Code, punishable under Section 326 of the Penal Code; and
•That you, Olisa Metuh, with intent to cause damage to the property of EFCC, tore into pieces the voluntary statement you made under caution punishable under Section 327 of the Penal Code.
Justice Bello asked if it was not proper to accommodate the new charge in the one pending before the Federal High Court since the alleged attempt to destroy evidence flowed directly from the case.
However, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Sylvester Tahir, said the fresh charge was on a Panel Code.
Justice Bello fixed January 25 to hear the bail application filed by Metuh’s counsel, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN).
Meanwhile, Metuh has been returned to Kuje Prisons in Abuja pending the time his application for bail would be considered and determined.
Metuh was first arraigned for allegedly collecting N400million from the $2.1billion arms deal meant to equip the military fighting Boko Haram insurgency. He insisted the money was for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign.
