Former public affairs aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe has declared that his former boss authorised the disbursement of N400 million to Peoples Democratic Party publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh.

Metuh has been on trial for his involvement in the $2.1 billion arms probe scandal- funds he was reported to have received N400 million from.

Metuh in his defence claimed that he was paid for services rendered to the ex-president and he could not have known if the source of his payment was legal or not.

In the continuation of his trial, Okupe was brought in as the third defence witness before Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja High Court.

Okupe revealed that Jonathan did approve the N400 million that was paid to Metuh for his services following the presentation of a media plan at the Presidential Villa.

Okupe, who was led in evidence by the lead defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), told the court that he attended the meeting during which a consultant brought in by Metuh made the presentation for the PDP’s campaign strategy.

He further said Jonathan himself informed himthat he had authorise the payment of N400 million to Metuh.

The witness said, “After the usual exchange of pleasantries, Mr. President (Jonathan) gave a short briefing in line with what I said earlier.

“He then asked Olisa Metuh and his consultant to make their presentation which they did. After the presentation, there were comments from those who attended the meeting.

“The presentation was approved for action and the President said Mr. Metuh would be given part of the money that was in budget for the execution of the project. We all left.

“I know from two sources that Mr. Metuh got the money. The first source was the President himself who told me that he had instructed that Chief Metuh be mobilized, and that was during breakfast with Mr. President one morning.

“He told me that he had instructed that Chief Metuh be mobilised with N400m. The following day, very early in the morning, I got a call from Chief Metuh who told me that he had received N400m from the President.”