Metuh: Appeal Court sets aside Dasuki’s indictment

Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Wednesday, set aside the indictments of the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, in a judgment of an Abuja Federal High Court which convicted and sentenced a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, for money laundering.

Justice Stephen Adah-led three-man panel held in a unanimous judgment delivered, on Wednesday, that the Federal High Court made damaging comments against Dasuki without giving him a fair hearing.

The appellate court held that the comments made against Dasuki, who was not charged as a co-defendant in the case or given any opportunity to defend himself were uncalled for.

In an earlier judgment on Wednesday, the panel set aside Metuh’s conviction on the grounds of bias by the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court.

The panel, therefore, ordered that Metuh’s trial be conducted afresh.

Justice appellate court panel directed that the case file be sent back to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge other than Justice Abang.

Justice Abang had in his judgment delivered on February 25, 2020, sentenced Metuh to seven years’ imprisonment for fraudulently receiving N400m from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd).