Goodluck Jonathan demanded for a corporate bank account from Metuh which some amount was paid into – Ike Abonyi

Former Congress Committee Chairman of the of PDP to Anambra state , Mr Ike Abonyi.

Metuh commenced his defence through his witness, Ike Abonyi, journalist and public relations consultant who told the court how former president, Goodluck Jonathan demanded for a corporate bank account from Metuh which some amount was paid into.
“Metuh called me to work with him when he won the election to occupy the position of the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP saying his new position has to do with the media and he had no knowledge of he media.
“In a bid to repackage the image of PDP, Metuh informed me that he would be engaging the services of a consultancy firm called CMC Connect; and together we made presentation to Jonathan,” Abonyi said.
He disclosed that CMC had worked with former chairman of the party, Ekewesilieze Nwodo but had to withdraw because they were being owned by the party.
“Metuh, however, told me he had appealed to CMC Connect to work with him due to their good job. He appealed to CMC Connect to continue where Nwodo stopped. They said they were willing to return but the party was owing them and Metuh agreed to push their case.
“Following their presentation in a meeting, Metuh promised to meet them but at that time there was no resources but he promised to get funds from the party
“Eventually the general election was fast approaching and Metuh approached me as the Executive Director of New Telegraph and requested he would need my full services this time saying he would like if I can come in and work as a consultant to help him with the new challenge of improving the image of the party which was in bad shape because by virtue of his position all eyes were on him to come up with strategies ahead of the general election…
“Even when I tried to lure Metuh out of CMC Connect, he reminded me that he had made a commitment and would not go out of it. We eventually called CMC Connect to join the team of journalist, where he informed us that he has been given an assignment by the leader of the party, former President Goodluck Jonathan to come up with strategy that would help the party win the forthcoming election.
“Metuh told us that the assignment given to him was also given to some other professionals, that we should see it as a challenge and make sure that our own strategy prevail in the choice of the President. The team anchored by CMC connect drew up some strategies with Metuh presiding over most of the meetings. We all agreed that he have a good product to offer but Metuh said we should wait for clearance from the Presidential villa for presentation.
“One afternoon, he called me that he had just received a call form the national chairman of the party that the president would be ready for presentation that night. All those involved were resident in Abuja except the Managing Director of CMC Connect I called to take the next available flight for the presentation. Other members of the team went in one vehicle while Metuh carried the Managing Director of CMC in his vehicle. Upon arrival at the villa, only Metuh’s car was allowed to enter but they waited for us at the clearance point where we were ushered into a waiting room. Metuh left and entered another room. Fifteen minutes later, Metuh ushered us into a large parlour with the president, vice, senate president, national chairman of the party, former governor  Anambra State (Peter Obi), Liyel Imoke and some media aides and Reuben Abati all seated.
“The MD of CMC Connect was the first to speak from our team. After the presentation the President requested for comments. At a point, Reuben Abati who saw our presentation as an indictment on him told the President that the situation was not as bad as we portrayed but he was overruled. Peter Obi urged the president to mobilise our team before the commencement of the campaign, otherwise, it would be difficult to win the election given the difficult situation of the government at that time. Following Obi’s comment the President advised that all others that did presentation that night should collapse into Metuh’s team. At that point the President commended Metuh but said the real job was out there.
“President told him to bring a corporate account to him for immediate mobilisation.”
“I’m aware as a journalist that funding of publicity comes from the leader of the party mainly. After our presentation we returned to our lives waiting to hear from Metuh on he outcome, one afternoon he told us that work will now start that the president said he should check his bank account that some money has been disbursed for the job.”