Ebun Francis || Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser, on Friday said he would not be able to remember if the sum of N400m paid to a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, in 2014, was for the provision of security services.
Metuh is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly fraudulently receiving the sum of N400m from ONSA without any justification and spent same on the party and personal affairs.
The former NSA made the disclosure while answering questions under cross-examination by the counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir.
Dasuki, led in evidence-in-chief earlier by Metuh’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), said without recourse to his records which he had no access to while in the custody of the Department of State Services, he would not be able to confirm the payment of N400m to Metuh or the purpose it was meant for.
He equally said he could not remember if the ONSA under his watch had relations with Destra Investments Limited, the company, through which Metuh allegedly received the N400m from ONSA in 2014.
When shown and asked to confirm the content of the e-payment mandate earlier tendered as exhibit in the case and on which his name and signature appeared, authorising the payment of N400m, Dasuki said, “My name has been typed out there.”
Asked to read out the purpose of the payment as contained in the “e-payment mandate”, the ex-NSA said, ” the purpose of payment: payment for security services.”
Then the prosecuting counsel, asked, “What services did the company, Destra Investments Limited, the second defendant render to entitle the company, the payment of N400m.”
Dasuki responded, “If you want an answer, I still have to refer to my records.
“It would be useful for the counsel to make himself familiar with the NSA Act.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is billed to be next witness when the case resumes on December 4.
With agency reports