Alleged N400m fraud: Metuh collapses in court as judge adjourns till tuseday

THE trial of the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh in the N400 million money laundering charge preferred against him by the Federal Government took a different dimension on Monday, as the former PDP spokesman collapsed in court while making his way to the dock.

Metuh, who was said to be suffering from spinal cord injuries had, on several occasions brought in court on a stretcher, when his health deteriorated and the trial Judge had denied him permission to travel abroad for treatment.

A medical doctor from the Federal High Court was hurriedly called by the registrar of the court, following Metuh’s collapse when he wanted to enter the dock box.

As a result of the fall, Justice Abang rose for about 30 minutes, and upon return, he demanded from the court registrar, Barrister Doyin Olawole, and the two clerks, Omoju James and Dorcas Danjuma of what transpired in court when the matter was called for the continuation of trial.

While the proceeding was on, the medical doctor from the court told Justice Abang that Metuh needed to be taken to the hospital for further examination due to the fall.

The judge who was visibly disturbed wondered why the doctor who was not in the courtroom when Metuh slipped his feet and fell, would request that he should be taken to the hospital.

According to the Judge, “In view of the application of the medical doctor in the employment of Federal High Court, that was not in court at the commencement of the proceeding, and there being no objection, and since it is a medical opinion, this matter is adjourned till May 22, 2018”.

Before the adjournment, Justice Abang threatened to strike out the criminal charge against the former PDP spokesman, following the inability of prosecution counsel, Silvanus Tahir to oppose an adjournment by the court based on the opinion of a medical doctor from the court.

“The Federal High Court has nothing against the 1st defendant (Metuh). It is the duty of the prosecution to prosecute its case.

If the prosecution does not want to proceed with the trial, the court will strike out the case” Justice Abang threatened.

The court wondered why the prosecution after seeing what happened in court, and how a medical doctor who was not in court, would request that Metuh should be taken to the hospital, yet the prosecution did not want to oppose the plea for adjournment.

Earlier in the proceedings, Metuh’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) said he was withdring from the case, when the Judge wanted to continue with the matter, in spite of the fall of his client, adding also that he cannot go on when his client was lying critically ill on a stretcher.

“The 1st defendant had a terrible fall while trying to mount the dock, and I don’t even know if he is alive or not on that stretcher.

Since the court had insisted on proceeding with the trial, I announce my withdrawal from the trial”, Etiaba stated and all efforts to adduce reason for his withdrawal was rebuffed as Justice Abang refused to record him.

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In a bench ruling, Justice Abang refused Etiaba’s withdrawal, saying it was a ploy to delay the trial.

Reacting on what transpired shortly after the court had adjourned, the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir said the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 provides that a defendant “can always stand trial while he is before the court.

“If the medical personnel had said or gave an opinion to the court that the defendant needed to be evacuated to the hospital and I was asked to comment, naturally what would I say?

“Going by the law, I have to say I will not oppose, more so, that the case was adjourned till tomorrow (May 22), he said.

Metuh was brought to court in an ambulance to face a seven-count money laundering charge, along with his company, Destra Investments Limited for allegedly receiving the sum of N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (rtd) and used same for the political activities of the PDP in the 2015 general elections.

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