A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by former President Goodluck Jonathan seeking to be paid N1billion before he could attend court to testify in favour of ex-spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh.
Metuh, who is being tried with his company, Destra Investment Ltd for money laundering offences and allegedly receiving N400million unlawfully from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
In his defence, Metuh, who has consistently claimed that the N400 was paid to him by Jonathan in 2014 for an image laundering project for his (Jonathan’s) government, applied for Jonathan and former NSA to be called as his witnesses.
Upon learning that a witness summons has been issued against him, Jonathan filed the application, seeking the voiding of the summons on him or that Metuh is asked to pay N1b to facilitate his attendance of court.
But in a ruling some moments ago, Justice struck out the application by Jonathan on the grounds that it was based on hearsay.
The judge said his court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the application or make an order in Jonathan’s favour because there is evidence that he has not been served with the subpoena (witness summons) issued against him.
Justice Abang held that Jonathan cannot base his application on media reports when he has not been served.
The judge also dismissed a motion by Dasuki, seeking to adjourn the proceedings pending the determination of his appeal.
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