JONATHAN: Why I won’t testify at Metuh’s trial

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has given detailed reasons why he would not want to testify in the alleged fraud trial of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, at an Abuja Federal High Court.

Jonathan gave his reasons in a motion filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

Following Metuh’s application, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, had ordered that a subpoena be issued on the former president to compel him to come and testify in Metuh’s alleged criminal reception of N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014.

But deposing to the affidavit filed in support of the motion by Jonathan, a litigation secretary in Ozekhome’s law firm, Usman Salihu, stated that the former president had during a phone conversation with him, which was made in the presence of the lead counsel, Ozekhome, at about 10:am on October 29 (Sunday), expressed shock that he was being summoned to witness in Metuh’s trial as he has not been served with the subpoena.

Salihu said, “That he (Jonathan) has read in the media of a witness summons issued by this honourable court requiring him to come before the court for the purpose of testifying before the court, in charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/05/2016.

“That there have been several attempts by some persons in the current dispensation to harass, intimidate and rubbish his reputation and that of his wife.

“That several attempts have been made to attach or seize the accounts and properties of his wife, her relatives and her pet, NGO. Most of the cases filed for and against such moves are currently pending before various courts across Nigeria.

“That when he read about the summons issued on him at the behest of the 2nd respondent, Olisa Metuh, he was shocked as he verily believes strongly that it forms part of the ploy to drag his name into the mire.

“That he knows nothing pertaining to the seven counts for which Olisa Metuh, the first defendant in the charge is standing trial and consequently, has absolutely nothing to say as a witness before the court in respect thereof.

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“That he verily believes that the evidence sought from him, is likely to expose him to a criminal charge, penalty or forfeiture.”

Salihu contended that the subpoena was vague, obtained on frivolous grounds and in bad faith as well as intended to embarrass the former President.

According to Salihu, Metuh was not a personal aide or an appointee of the applicant, and so, could not have had direct dealings with the president under any guise to warrant the invitation.





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