Olisa Metuh, former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sentenced to seven years in prison.

Olisa Metuh who has been in custody since 2016 was today, 25th February found guilty of the said crime and has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

Justice Okon Abang gave the sentence in his judgement on Tuesday, 25th February 2020.

A Seven counts charge of money laundering and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of N400 million was levelled against him by the EFCC.

The EFCC had accused him of laundering alongside his company, Destra Investment.

He was convicted and the trial Judge judge found him guilty of all the charges brought against him.

The trial lasted for about four years and was filled with lots of drama and adjournment over health-related issues.

In his judgement, Abang sentenced Metuh to seven years imprisonment in respect to Counts One to Three.

Five years imprisonment on count Four; seven years on count five; he got three years on count six; and seven years on Counts seven.

However, Justice Abang noted that all the sentences run jointly and take effect from today.

In addition, he was asked to pay a fine of N375 million.

Also, the judge sentenced Dextra Investment to pay a fine of N25 million with respect to Counts Five and Six.

Moreover, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the company’s account to the Federal Government; and the company should also be dissolved.

Speaking about his ordeal for four years, justice Abang said:

“It is only God and my family that sustained me in the last four years of hostilities. The convict and a section of the media attempted to humiliate me.”

According to him, he could not state all the negative things that was said about him during the trial.

However, he said he has forgiven the accused and his lawyer, Etiaba, Justice Abang said.

The judge condemned the wasting of public funds which has eaten so deep into the society. Noting that it requires tough action that would lead to national rebirth.

Justice Abang said Metuh “planted thorns and cannot harvest flowers”.

Pointing out that the accused wasted his opportunity of an amicable and private settlement of the issue.

He said,

“The convict had the opportunity of resolving the matter with the complainant without anybody knowing, especially when he was presented with the debit entry of the N50 million transferred to his wife.

“He should have been sober and resolved the matter in order to ensure the matter is not brought to court but instead, he became hardened and joined issues with the EFCC,” Justice Abang said.

According to him, Metuh also joined his counsels, Emeka Etiaba and Onyechi Ikpeazu, to humiliate the court by writing shallow petitions.

He claimed that the origin of the $2 million could not be traced, emphasizing that Nigeria cannot go on like this.

He further stated that : “if I had the powers to exercise discretion, I would have exercised it in favour of the convict.

“Since I can’t go outside the law which stipulates between seven and 14 years imprisonment, in respect to Counts One to Three, I sentence him to 7 years imprisonment with effect from today (Tuesday) ” he added.