Olisa Metuh

Olisa Metuh
Former National Publicity Secretary of the People's Democratic Party
In office
March 2012 – 2016
Personal details
Born
Otolo, Nigeria
PartyPeople's Democratic Party
Occupation
  • Politicia
  • lawyer

Olisa Metuh // ⓘ is a Nigerian lawyer and politician, he was the former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party from 2012 to 2016.

Early life and career

Metuh was born at Otolo, Nnewi North, in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria.

He obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in Enugu State and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1988.

He began his law career at Olisianunba Chambers, a law firm owned by his father. In 1990, he established a partnership firm called Metuh, Okafor & Associates, where he served as the managing solicitor.

In 1991, he was appointed as the chairman of Legend Properties Limited, a property management firm.

He later registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In 1996, he established a law firm, Olisa Metuh and Co., to provide services in legal practice, real estate and share acquisitions.

Political life

He began his political career as the coordinator of the Igbo United Congress. While serving in that capacity, he was also a member of the finance committee of People's National Forum (PNF).

He served as a pioneer member of the national finance committee of the Peoples Democratic Party.

In November 1999, at the first National Convention of the PDP, he was elected as ex officio member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

He later acted as the secretary of the National Peace and Reconciliatory Committee of the party for two years.

In 2002, he was appointed as the chairman of the Cross River State electoral panel.

He was later appointed as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party constitution review panel.

In 2006, he became the chairman of the Abia State electoral panel and also took part in the supervision of all the primaries in Abia State.

In 2007, he was appointed as national auditor and member of the party's National Working Committee (NWC).

He was later elected as the national vice chairman of the party for the Southeast zone.

He served as the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party between 2013 and 2015, when the party lost federal power to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

Arrest

On 5 January 2016, Metuh was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), answering questions regarding some funds (arms deal) said to have been traced to his firm.

"From the records, Metuh got over N400 million, he has not said anything because we need the public money to be returned so that it's going to be used for public good," Mr. Ibrahim Magu said during a meeting with online media publishers in Lagos.

On 5 February 2018, Metuh arrived at the Federal High Court in Abuja in an ambulance. He was absent when the case was heard the previous week.

Conviction

On 25 February 2020, the Federal High Court convicted Metuh and sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment after finding him guilty on charges relating to money laundering. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the ₦400 million involved in the case.

Release

Metuh appealed the conviction. On 16 December 2020, the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified the trial court's judgment, citing bias by Justice Abang (who had made disparaging remarks against Metuh in the ruling, including references to petitions filed against him). The appellate court ordered a fresh trial before another judge and Metuh was subsequently released from Kuje Prison after serving about 10 months.

In September 2022, a Federal High Court struck out the retrial charges, describing the EFCC's approach as an abuse of process.

Professional bodies

See also

References

  1. ↑ Aziken, Emmanuel (23 May 2014). "PDP: Where is Olisa Metuh?". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  2. ↑ Fakoya, Olusegun (17 April 2014). "The Madness Of Olisa Metuh And The Tragedy Of The Nigerian Nation". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  3. ↑ Umoru, Henry (24 August 2013). "PDP Election: Why they are after me – Olisa Metuh". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  4. ↑ "Frustrated PDP Spokesman, Olisa Metuh, 'Ready To Resign'". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. Sahara Reporters. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  5. ↑ Idaomi, Tobi (15 September 2014). "A Government Full Of Lies: Reuben Abati And Olisa Metuh As Agents By Tobi Idaomi". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "Olisa Metuh, the PDP is not the APC". The Punch. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Nigeria Leadership Summit – by Anabel Leadership Academy". Nigeria Leadership Summit. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  8. ↑ Adibe, Jideofor (27 March 2014). "Manipulators of public perception: Between Olisa Metuh and Lai Mohammed". Daily Trust. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  9. ↑ Ikpeazu, Willie (28 October 2014). "Olisa Metuh: A bull in an Abia shop". New Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  10. ↑ Fabiyi, Olusola (25 October 2013). "APC free to boycott national dialogue – PDP". The Punch. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  11. ↑ Baiyewu, Leke (11 November 2012). "PDP: As the behemoth shrinks". The Punch. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "PDP's Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh Resigns". 19 June 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  13. ↑ Okocha, Chuks (22 November 2014). "PDP's NWC Reviews Sack of Adamawa, Ebonyi Excos". This Day. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  14. ↑ Owete, Festus (19 June 2013). "Spokesman Olisa Metuh resigns". Premium Times. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  15. ↑ "Cross River PDP electoral panel denies bribe allegation". The Punch. 14 November 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  16. ↑ Usigbe, Leon; Olatunji-Abuja, Jacob Segun. "We are ready for election — PDP". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 15 January 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  17. ↑ "Abia polls: Controversy over disqualification of Gov Orji's son". The Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  18. ↑ "Jonathan, Tafawa Balewa for Screening Today". This Day. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via allAfrica.
  19. ↑ "Why we sacked Adamawa PDP executive – Olisa Metuh". The Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. 23 October 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  20. ↑ "PDP S'East Executive Passes Vote of Confidence in Metuh". The Nigerian Voice. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  21. ↑ Ihediwa, Richard (7 April 2013). "Re: False Reports On The National Publicity Secretary Of The PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  22. ↑ "Seized $5.7million: APC used by 'foreign interests' to destroy Nigeria - PDP". Premium Times. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  23. ↑ Bridget Chiedu Onochie; Omolaoy, Sodiq (25 February 2020). "Court finds Olisa Metuh guilty of N400m fraud". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  24. ↑ "EFCC arrests PDP spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, over alleged corruption". Premium Times. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  25. ↑ Ezeamalu, Ben (11 January 2016). "Why we released APC's Jafaru Isa, still detain PDP's Olisa Metuh – EFCC". Premium Times. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  26. ↑ Okakwu, Evelyn (5 February 2018). "Olisa Metuh arrives court in ambulance". Premium Times. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  27. ↑ Yahaya, Halimah (February 25, 2020). "UPDATED: Court sentences Olisa Metuh to seven years in prison". Premium Times. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
  28. ↑ Ajibola, Akinola (2020-12-24). "PHOTOS: Ex-PDP Spokesman, Olisa Metuh Released From Kuje Prison". Channels Television. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
  29. ↑ Adebayo, Adeola (December 16, 2020). "UPDATED: Alleged Fraud: Appeal Court nullifies Olisa Metuh's conviction, orders fresh trial". Premium Times. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
  30. ↑ Nigeria, Guardian (2022-09-26). "Court strikes out suit against Olisa Metuh". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
  31. ↑ Olabimtan, Bolanle (2022-09-26). "Court strikes out fresh N400m money laundering charge against Olisa Metuh". TheCable. Retrieved 2026-07-19.