Our
attention has been drawn to reports in the media regarding a petition by one
Barrister Osuagwu Ugochukwu claiming to be representing a non- existent former member
of the Enugu State House of Assembly, given as Ikenna Ejezie, and asking the
EFCC to invite and interrogate ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on
issues relating to the on-going trial of our client, Chief Olisa Metuh.
Whereas we
note that Barrister Ugochukwu has links with the EFCC and had appeared on
behalf of the commission while representing its former Chairman, Ibrahim
Larmode at a hearing in the National Assembly last year, the claim that the
petition is on behalf of a former member of Enugu State House of Assembly is
false as no such individual ever served in that legislative house.
However, we
have thoroughly studied the petition and for the avoidance of doubt, wish to
state as follows.
1. The
petition is not really against ex-President Jonathan but actually a calculated
attempt targeted at swaying public sentiments and the judiciary against our
client in this orchestrated and well-funded media trial. The idea is to sway
the minds of the public and the court to get a conviction based more on media
trial than the laws of the land.
2. It is
clear that their assertion is neither based on the statement our client made at
the EFCC nor on the evidence placed before the court, which has clearly
established our client’s case that the N400 million approved by the former president
was not for personal and private use.
3. The fact
that this matter is subjudice should have impressed upon the petitioners and their
backers that publicizing such hoax is actually an affront to the judiciary
except it is intended to cow the judiciary.
4. We are
astonished as to how the petitioners would have referred to our client’s
statement as a confession and a criminal statement.
5. We are also
not unmindful of the fact that this appears to be a vendetta by some persons to
cast our client in the mold of an already guilty individual just waiting for
sentencing.
6.It is
therefore obvious that the sole intention of this petition is to distort our
client’s defense, which has so far been honestly and sincerely presented before
the court.
7.
Finally, we state that we support the present fight against corruption and
which is needed at this time of our national development, however this should
not be used by some persons as a ploy to settle personal scores.
Signed:
Barr. Ben Nwosu
Counsel to Chief Olisa Metuh
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