Metuh: EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren risks jail term over alleged misrepresentation of court proceedings

Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, Monday filed an application at a Federal High court, sitting in Abuja against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, for alleged wilful misrepresentation of court proceedings.

Uwujaren in the controversial publication had alleged that Metuh admitted to have shared an alleged N400m collected from the detained Sambo Dasuki and even detailed how it was shared.

But, Metuh absolutely denied to have admitted any of the claims by Uwujaren that were reported in various media houses.

The alleged published misrepresentation by the EFCC website and official Facebook page, was titled, “How I Shared N400m from Dasuki – Metuh”.

But at the resumed hearing on Monday, Counsel to Olisa Metuh, Mr. Abel Ozioko, therefore, informed the court, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, of the alleged contemptuous publication, which he described as malicious, mischievous and deliberate misrepresentation intended to mislead the public, blackmail the court and derail the course of justice.

Ozioko lamented that the report did not reflect the proceedings in court on Friday, September 27, but allegedly held outright falsehood and distortions aimed to “mislead the unsuspecting public” on issues regarding the case.

Ozioko stated that contrary to claims in the EFCC publication, Metuh “never admitted receiving any money from Col. Sambo Dasuki, neither did he admit to have shared the N400m duly released to him by President Goodluck Jonathan, for an approved special national assignment to individuals for other purposes”.

According to the Ozioko, “the publication was deliberately designed to injure and drag the integrity of this honorable court in the mud and derail a fair trial by selling to the Nigerian public an impression that the defendant admitted receiving N400m from Col. Sambo Dasuki and shared it for political purposes.

In his words, “My Lord, this is very mischievous. It may lead to an outcry and public vilification of the integrity of this court when eventually the court looks at the hard evidence before it and takes a decision. If that decision is not in line with the impression the EFCC is creating in the mind of the public by this type of publication, the court will be accused of bias.”

Metuh’s counsel reminded the court of various occasions the Defendants had brought issues of media misrepresentations by the EFCC and how the court had continuously frowned at such practice.

He, therefore, moved the court, via a motion, to protect its integrity and put an end to the media trial in Metuh’s case by ordering that the EFCC Spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwajeren to appear before it to show why he should not be committed to prison for contempt and misrepresentation of proceedings.

In his ruling, Justice Abang fixed Monday, October 7, for hearing of the application to determine Uwajeren’s fate.

After further cross-examination of the Defendant, the court adjourned, however, the substantive matter to Wednesday, October 3, for continuation of trial.