Mr. Ben Nwosu, Counsel to former PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh, has faulted alleged reports that money was paid to media houses or their representatives to launder the image of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Nwosu in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja said the clarification was important due to a misleading report in a section of the media in the case of the controversial N400m involving Metuh.
He stated the document cautioned that Mr. Richard Ihediwa, the fifth defense witness, told the courtroom that money was paid to media houses or their representatives to launder Jonathan’s photo.
“This report is notably embarrassing and does not in any manner mirror the testimony and proof of Metuh’s 5th defense witness, Mr. Richard Ihediwa, inside the court docket.
“What the witness advised the court changed into that the sum paid into his account via Metuh changed into for bills for sundry advertorials placed with the aid of Metuh in numerous media homes.
“The witness had in advance laid a proper foundation that media advertorials from the PDP have been located and paid for with the aid of the countrywide publicity Secretary.
“That the charge turned into in most cases in cash or through financial institution transfers to the media houses, via their representatives covering the birthday party.
“The witness, who is unique Assistant to our patron, started without delay and virtually that each one the bills to the media had been for advertorials.
“He stated that paying for advertorials through representatives of the media houses changed into the ordinary practice within the media industry,’’ the legal professional said.
Nwosu said the witness went ahead to give documents, which includes financial institution tellers, to justify the payments.
“The records of the courtroom are clear on this regard. Moreover, while he was move- tested concerning the advent of names of a few newshounds inside the price tellers, the witness stated virtually that the payments had been for advertorials placed in their respective media houses.
“He confirmed files to justify the bills, consistent with the exercise within the media enterprise.”
He stated that at no point at some stage in his testimony did the witness tell the court that any media residence or any consultant/workforce of any media house became paid to launder Jonathan’s image.
“we discover this specially painful. Because the arrest and arraignment of our patron, he had never tried in any way to drag in any individual and/or enterprise in connection along with his travail,” Nwosu stated.
However, he advised reporters covering the court to make a sure correct reportage of occasions and complaints.
“We remorse the embarrassment the unfortunate record need to have triggered the respective media houses or men and women cited within the said misleading reviews,” Nwosu stated. (NAN)