TheCable

Olugbumi Usim-Wilson has filed an application to withdraw as one of the two sureties to Olisa Metuh, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP spokesman standing trial for alleged money laundering.

Usin-Wilson made this known on Monday at the resumed trial at the federal high court, Abuja.

In the application, filed before Justice Okon Abang and dated October 4, she prayed the court to remove her name from Metuh’s list of sureties.

Meth reacted by filed an application, dated October 14, praying the court to allow him replace Usim-Wilson Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president.

Clement Chinaka, counsel to the applicant, urged the court to hear the application for withdrawal first and not the one for withdrawal.

However, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), counsel to Metuh, observed that if the application for withdrawal was taken before that of replacement, his client might risk returning to prison.

He therefore urged the court to use its discretion in the matter.

In a short ruling, Abang held that the court would take the application of Metuh first since, he had been consistent in his trial.

The judge thereafter adjourned the case till October 27 for hearing of both applications.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a seven-count charge of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering against Metuh.

It accused him of receiving N400 million from the former Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel and former national security adviser, allegedly part of a $2.1 billion meant for arms procurement allegedly diverted by Dasuki.