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Tag: Metuh

  • Jonathan gave me N400m, Metuh insists

    Ex- Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that former President Goodluck Jonathan gave N400million in respect of which he is now being prosecuted.

    Metuh, who is testifying as a defence witness in his trial, argued that, as against the prosecution’s claim, he believed the money came from Jonathan for the publicity activities he carried out for the Federal Government just before the last general elections.

    The former spokesman of the PDP and a company linked to him – Destra Investment Limited – are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a seven-count charge of money laundering.

    They are accused of fraudulently receiving the N400m “when they reasonably ought to know” that the money was part of the proceeds of alleged criminal act of the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

    Metuh is equally charged with engaging in cash transaction to the volume of $2m without going through a financial institution, an act the prosecution claimed violated the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

    On Tuesday, Metuh, who was led in evidence by his lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), gave a rundown on his activities prior to the 2015 general elections.

    Metuh said he engaged a media consultant, Yomi Badejo, with who he made a presentation at the Presidential Villa, before then President Jonathan and some others, on a media project intended at boosting the image of the government in relation to the fight against insurgency.

    The ex-PDP spokesman, who claimed Jonathan was impressed with his proposal, said the former President called him on phone and requested for what the cost of the project was which he provided.

    He said Jonathan later called him to inform him that his account had been credited with N400m.

    When asked by Etiaba if he bothered to investigate the source of the money, Metuh, said, “How can I make an inquiry into the source of the money when I already knew the source of the money?

    “I know the money came from the President as the leader of the party and on assurance that funds were raised personally by him at that time.

    “It is normal for the leader of the party or a candidate in an election to send money directly as contributions were mostly made directly to him by friends.

    “The leader of the party informed me that he had made a payment of N400m into my account,” Metuh said.

    On whether he got an alert or statement of account disclosing the source of the money, Metuh said he only saw the statement of his account after the N400m transaction, on January 5, 2016, while he was in the detention of the EFCC.

    Metuh added before the payment of the money in his account, he had not received any alert about the transaction from his bank, but that when Jonathan called him about the payment, he immediately called his account officer for confirmation of the payment.

    Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, adjourned till March 4 for continuation of Metuh’s testimony, but said trial would not be day-to-day from then on.

    Before adjourning, the judge directed the lead prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, to report back to the court on March 4 the status of the appeals filed against his earlier ruling by three employees of Channels Television.

    Justice Abang had, late last year, gave a ruling, directing the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to arraign the journalists for allegedly making contemptuous comments about the Metuh trial on the television’s Sunrise Daily programme.

    The judge equally directed the EFCC to report, to the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), a lawyer in Metuh’s legal team, Ben Nwosu for allegedly conducting himself in an unethical manner while he feature in the programme on Channel’s TV.

    Also on Tuesday, Justice Abang fixed March 4 for a company charged with the later ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh – Iyalikam Nigeria Limited – to open its defence.

    Badeh and Iyalikam were being tried on a 10-count charge of money laundering, in which the were accused fraudulent removal of about N3.97billion from the Nigerian Air Force’s account, before he (Badeh) died on December 18, 2018.

    The prosecution had closed its case, with Bedeh scheduled to open his defence on January 16 this year, only for him to be murdered before the set date.

    When parties got to court January 16 Badeh’s lawyer, Akin Olujinmi (SAN) informed the court about his client’s death and sought an adjournment to a date after his burial.

    Olujinmi added that the adjournment will afford parties the opportunity to work out an agreement on how to proceed with the case in the absence of the first defendant (Badeh).

    When the case came up on Tuesday, Olujinmi sought a meeting between parties in the case in the judge’s chambers, a request Justice Abang granted and stood down proceedings for a while.

    At the resumption of proceedings about 30 minutes later, lawyer to Iyalikam, Samuel Zibiri (SAN), said in view of the demise of the first defendant, the second defendant should be allowed to open its defence.

    Zibiri said: “The case is for defence. As the first defendant is now in the extinct, it falls on the second defendant to open its defence.”

    He later sought an adjournment to allow the second defendant open its defence, a request the judge granted and adjourned to March 4.

  • I can no longer feed my family, Metuh tells court

    •Ex-PDP spokesman laments seizure of accounts

    FORMER People’s Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh told a Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday that he could no longer feed his family because his bank accounts have been frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Metuh said he learnt early yesterday that no debit order was placed on his accounts on Monday night, when he tried unsuccessfully to make a transaction in one of the accounts.

    The ex-PDP spokesman spoke while testifying at the resumed hearing in his trail. Metuh is being tried, with his company, Destra Investment, on charges of money laundering.

    Metuh, who is testifying as his own witness, said the freezing of his accounts has made it difficult for him to either feed his family or buy items as common as water and pain-reliving medicine like Panadol.

    He said: “The EFCC seized my accounts yesterday night and I can’t get money to feed my family. I am in total shock as I am here talking to you.

    “I don’t even know what to say. They seized all my accounts in every bank in this country. As I am, I don’t have money to buy Panadol or water to drink.”

    Metuh associated the freezing of his accounts with his ongoing trial, in which he is accused of unlawfully receiving N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2014.

    He queried why the EFCC would freeze his accounts, having allegedly seized his assets earlier.

    Metuh said what the EFCC earlier seized included assets with the Asset and Resource Management Company Limited and his funds in other banks.

    He said the action of the EFCC has denied him access to his funds worth more than the amount at stake in the trial.

    Metuh noted:  “They have alleged in this case that N400 million was stolen. Why would they not limit it to that amount?

    “I don’t know how I am going to feed my family? I don’t have access to any money at all. I am ready to end this case and submit myself to the judgment of this court.”

    In his earlier testimony yesterday, Metuh claimed his trial was because he was critical of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while he was in office.

    He tendered the print-outs of some media reports of the news conferences he addressed as PDP spokesperson in July 2015.

    Metuh said the news conferences, which were critical of the APC and the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, earned him threats and eventually his arrest and subsequent prosecution.

    Reacting, Metuh’s lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) said he did not object to what his client said, but except the part where he spoke about ending the case.

    The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, noted that the issue Metuh raised about his accounts was not part of the case before the court.

    The judge asked Metuh to ask his lawyer to discuss the issue with the lead prosecuting lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, who was equally in court.

  • Dying Metuh gets healing at Ekweremadu’s residence

    If nothing else, former publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisah Metuh was known for being outspoken against the then opposition party, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).

    He had come into prominence during Goodluck Jonathan’s reign as President, and was always on hand to defend the approach of the Jonathan government to the challenging situations confronting the government.

    With the loss of PDP in the 2015 election, however, Metuh parted ways with his bubbly mien, having been arraigned for allegedly collecting N400 million from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who was alleged to have masterminded the misappropriation of more than $2 billion funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    Metuh’s efforts to prevent his prosecution on the basis of a no-case submission before the court were fruitless. But no sooner had his trial commenced than his sound health suddenly collapsed. He was either placed on stretcher or reclined on wheelchair each time he had his day in court, cutting the sight of a dying man.

    On one occasion, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, had ordered Metuh to appear or risk being arrested. Metuh’s counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), however, hinged the PDP chieftain’s absence in court on his failing health and admission at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.

    On March 14, Metuh sought the permission of the court to undergo urgent medical care in the United Kingdom, claiming that he had suffered a spinal cord-related ailment and lost sensation in his lower limbs. He pleaded passionately for the return of his international passport to enable him seek treatment abroad.

    Doubting Metuh’s ill-health alibi for oversea medical trip on April 19, Justice Abang said: “I am wondering if the defendant is really sick as he claims. Why did he not appeal the two earlier decisions of the court that refused to release his international passport? I doubt that he is really ill as he wants the court to believe. If he is, he should have appealed the decisions of the court at the Court of Appeal.

    “The issues raised in this application have already been determined in the two previous rulings on the matter. There is nothing new in this application.”

    His later appearance in court on May 21 caused a pandemonium as he slumped on his way to the dock for continuation of his trial. But Justice Abang, unperturbed by the development, insisted on proceeding with Metuh’s trial while the latter remained on the floor. Angered by the judge’s decision, Metuh’s team of lawyers, led by Mr. Emeka Etiaba, SAN, pulled out of the case.

    Curiously, the failing health of the embattled former National Publicity Secretary of PDP witnessed a rebound last week after he visited the home of Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu on July 24 in the wake of an alleged siege to Ekweremadu’s residence by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

    At Ekweremadu’s home, Metuh was seen looking vibrant and excited. He was neither wheeled nor lay on a stretcher as he laughed heartily and exchanged banter with his party members and senators. The photograph of his visit, which later went viral on the social media, was greeted with anger and knocks from Nigerians.

    In a flurry of tweets and reactions on online news platforms, some furious Nigerians trolled him for allegedly stage-managing his ill-health to curry sympathy in court.

    In a message on his Twitter handle, @ Arowolo_85, one Arowolo Olusegun queried: ‘’Olisa Metuh no longer sick? No neck collar?

    “Olisametu has recovered from his spinal cord injury?” asked another Twitter user, @Ibrahim30031265

    Also reacting, a curious Ufuosman said in pidgin English: “When him hear court now, him stroke go come back.’’

    Bigtt76 wrote: “Neck gauge only comes to work when it’s time to appear in court grin cheesy.”

    Reacting, a respondent, identified simply as Michlins, said: “When his case is mentioned, let him not come to hospital and faint.”

    Another commentator with the name Bodexman said: “We all know he’s acting a script. Once he hear COURT now, he will faint, no matter what he’s doing at that moment.”

  • Metuh appeals court’s decision to try him in absentia

    Ex-Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has appealed the May 23, 2018 ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, directing that his ongoing trial will be conducted in his absence.

    Metuh is standing trial before the court, along with his company, Destra Investment Limited, on offences bordering on money laundering. They are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang ruled on May 23 to dispense with Metuh’s presence in the trial following an application to that effect by prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir.

    Tahir had, while moving the application noted that Metuh, who had fallen in court during the proceedings of May 21, and his lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) were absent in court without any reason, argued that the court could not be held to ransom by unwilling party and urged the court to proceed with the trial.

    He also prayed that the case of Metuh, who had by then, called 11 witnesses, be closed since neither he nor his lawyer was around to state whether or not he intended to call further witnesses.

    Metuh, in his notice of appeal, sighted late yesterday, and in which he raised seven grounds of appeal, faulted the decision by the trial court to proceed with the trial in his absence and also close his case.

    The ex-PDP spokesman argued that the trial judge “misdirected himself and erred in law in his May 23 ruling.”

    He now prays the Court of Appeal “to allow the appeal and set aside the ruling/order of the Federal High Court (Coram Justice Abang) delivered/made on May 23, 2018 and in its stead direct that the 1st defendant (Metuh) shall continue to be present throughout his trial in accordance with section 266(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

    He also wants the Appeal Court to direct that the case be withdrawn from Justice Abang and handed to a new trial judge, when he said: “The Court of Appeal is further urged to remit the whole case/trial to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court with an order directing him to assign or transfer the charge to another judge of the Federal High Court.”

    The Nation learnt late yesterday that Metuh has also applied to the trial court for leave to appeal its ruling and that the Federal High Court has slated the application for hearing on June 13. It was also learnt that parties have been served hearing notices to that effect.

    Metuh, in his notice of appeal, argued that the judge “erred in law and misdirected himself…occasioning a miscarriage of justice” against him. He equally accused the trial judge of making biased findings against him.

    He also argued that, as against the trial judge’s finding, he “has offered reasonable explanation” for his absence from court when on May 22 and 23 his lawyer, Etiaba (SAN), said in open court that he was on admission at the National Hospital in Abuja.

    He further argued that that a medical doctor attached to the Federal High Court, Dr. Adaora Ikeazor, communicated to the court the condition of the 1st defendant after his fall on May 21 as a result of which the court adjourned till May 22.

    Metuh also faulted the court’s conclusion that the defendant disobeyed its lawful directive leading to his fall and misconduct in court.

    He contended that he was already standing by the time the judge’s directive was communicated to him and was returning to his seat when he fell.

     

     

     

  • Alleged destruction of evidence: Metuh knows fate May 31

    A FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama has fixed May 31 for ruling on a no-case submission filed by a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Olisa Metuh.

    He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on a two-count charge bordering on alleged destruction of evidence.

    The case, which was before Justice Ishaq Bello, was adjourned until May 31, with consent of all counsel as the court did not sit on the matter, though the lawyers and Metuh were present.

    The case was earlier adjourned until March 7, then April 23 for ruling on Metuh’s no- case submission.

    Metuh’s counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had on October 10, 2017, told the court that they would enter a no-case submission at the close of the prosecution’s case

    Arguing the no-case submission, Ikpeazu had told the court that the prosecution had not established any case to warrant the defendant to be called to enter his defence.

    He said the application was pursuant to the provisions of Sections 302 and 357 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

    He added that the defendant had a constitutional liberty and could not be prosecuted where he either refused to make a statement or withdraw any part of his writing in the course of making a statement.

    Metuh said that the defendant had a right to cancel any part of his statement voluntarily.

    He reminded the court that the charge by EFCC was that Metuh destroyed his statement and obstructed the EFCC officials by willfully tearing his statement.

    Ikpeazu added that a piece of paper not signed did not qualify as a statement by the defendant, and urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendant.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, urged the court to establish whether or not a prima facie case had been made against the defendant.

    He added that cancellation was different from tearing, which was obstruction, and urged the court to call upon the defendant to enter his defence.

  • I can’t be convicted, says Metuh

    •Court refuses ex-PDP spokesman’s request for foreign treatment

    FORMER Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh said yesterday his trial will not lead to conviction.

    Metuh said: “I will go to the witness box. There is nothing in my case that will ever lead to conviction.”

    He spoke in Abuja yesterday while reacting to a ruling by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court on his (Metuh’s) motion for leave to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited, are being tried before the court on charges of money laundering.

    They are said to have unlawfully received N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in November 2014 to fund the party’s presidential campaign ahead of the 2015 poll.

    Metuh and Destra are also said to have engaged in cash transaction of $2 million without going through a financial institution.

    Ruling yesterday, Justice Abang said his court lacked jurisdiction to entertain Metuh’s motion, since he failed to appeal the court’s decision in May 2016, rejecting a similar application by the defendant.

    The judge also said the motion, argued by parties last month, was without merit because it was not supported by a medical report.

    Metuh, who had on two occasions attended court on a stretcher and later on wheel chair, came to court yesterday with the aid of a walking frame.

    Justice Abang had, on May 25, 2016, dismissed a similar motion for the release of his passport to enable him seek medical attention in the United Kingdom (UK).

    Dismissing the latest one yesterday, the judge upheld the argument by Sylvanus Tahir (for the prosecution) that Exhibit 3, relied upon by the applicant amounted to “a documentary hearsay” in as much as the doctor, who issued it did not personally examine Metuh.

    Justice Abang noted that besides failing to personally examine Metuh, the doctor, who authored the document, merely relied on other medical reports which were never produced before the court for scrutiny.

    Justice Abang said: “To the extent that the author of Exhibit 3 relied  on the content of two other letters or two other medical reports dated January 20, 2017 and January 30, 2018 to come to the conclusion that the defendant needed to be referred to the United Kingdom, the Exhibit 3 is a documentary hearsay which is not tenable. I so hold.

    “In the same vein, the applicant cannot rely on the document not brought before the court without producing the document before the court.

    “He (Metuh) ought to have known that it is no longer fashionable to use ill health to delay trial,” the judge said.

    Justice Abang noted that had the court not prevented Metuh from hijacking the proceedings, he would not have called the 10 witnesses that had appeared in court to defend him.

    He added: “On the account of the conduct of the 1st defendant (Metuh) since February 9, 2016, when the prosecution closed its case whereby the defendant has employed all manners of tactics to delay the case, I cannot exercise my discretion in his favour.

    “On whether the court has jurisdiction to entertain the application, in the final analysis, I have no jurisdiction to entertain the matter on merit.

    “On whether the application has merit, the application lacks merit and accordingly dismissed.”

    The judge noted that there was no medical report filed in support of the application, even when the Supreme Court had ruled that for such application to be granted, it must be backed by a convincing medical report to the satisfaction of the court.

    He said Metuh could not have filed a medical report since the court had, on January 25, 2016 prohibited him from filing such report since he had resorted to using his ill health to frustrate the trial.

    The judge was of the view that instead of filing a fresh motion for permission to travel abroad, Metuh ought to have appealed the 2016 ruling of the court.

    Justice Abang adjourned to today for further proceedings in the case.

    Reacting to the judge’s ruling after the court’s proceedings, Metuh described court’s decision as “frustrating” and “shocking”.

    He noted: “This is because, in the course of our filing the application, we had contended with the fact that the judge said we should not bring medical report again.

     

     

     

    Metuh, who is conducting his defence, has called 10 witnesses.

    He noted that “in the course of defending this matter, there is nothing unlawful or illegal that we have done”.

    Metuh insisted that he was innocent. He said he was eager to defend himself and might have to stop calling from his fresh list of 10 witnesses to enable him personally take the witness stand.

    He said: “I will go to the witness box. There is nothing in my case that will ever lead to conviction.”

     

  • Secondus, Metuh, Dokpesi, Jonathan’s ex- SSA are looters, says Lai Mohammed

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched into a fresh stand-off yesterday after Information and Culture Minister  Lai Mohammed named the PDP national chairman and four other members of the party as looters.

    Mohammed was reacting to Thursday’s statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr.Kola Ologbondiyan, challenging the federal government to name those who stole public funds under the last dispensation.

    Other ‘looters’ named by the Minister yesterday were the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr.Olisa Metuh; Dr. Raymond Dokpesi; former Presidential Senior Special Assistant, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei and Robert Azibaola, a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    But the PDP hit back immediately, dismissing government’s allegation as hollow and laughable.

    Ologbondiyan, PDP spokesman, asked the minister to name any of the party members that has been convicted of looting the treasury.

    Mohammed alleged that Secondus collected N200 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) while Metuh took N1.4 billion and Dr. Raymond Dokpesi collected N2.1 billion.

    Describing the PDP chieftains as hypocrites, the minister said that the Federal Government will continue to make references to the alleged looting, adding that the looters and their party were unpatriotic.

    Mohammed said: “The PDP has challenged us to name the looters under their watch. They said they did not loot the treasury.

    “I am sure they know that the treasury was looted dry under their watch, yet they decided to grandstand.

    “This shows the hollowness of their apology to Nigerians.

    “Let’s just give them a teaser with this list: The PDP Chairman Uche Secondus, on the 19th of February 2015, took N200 million only from the office of then NSA.

    “Then PDP Financial Secretary, on the 24th of Oct 2014, took N600 million only from the office of then NSA.

    “Then National Publicity Secretary Olisah Metuh is on trial for collecting N1.4 billion from the office of then NSA.

    “Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of DAAR Communications, is on trial for taking N2.1 billion from the office of then NSA.

    “Former SSA to President Jonathan, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei, is on trial over N830 million kept in accounts of four different companies.

    “On Thursday, a Federal High Court ruled that former President Jonathan’s cousin, Robert Azibaola, has a case to answer for collecting $40 million from the office of then NSA.”

    The minister added: “This list is just a tip of the iceberg, and the PDP is aware of this.

    “We did not make these cases up. Many of these cases are in court and the records are available.

    “Some of the people on this list are seeking to plea bargain, and that is a fact.

    “We insist that Nigeria was looted blind under the watch of the PDP, and that the starting point in tendering an apology is for them to return the loot.

    “It’s like a robber admitting to stealing your car and apologising, but then saying he will keep the car anyway. It doesn’t work that way.

    “The PDP is a hypocrite. And that reminds me of what English writer William Hazlitt said: ‘’The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.”

    “We will not stop talking about the massive looting by the PDP.

    “They brought Nigeria to this sorry pass. We are now looking around for loans to build infrastructure, and they ask us not to talk about it.

    “We will talk about it.”

    PDP fires back, lists cases of alleged looting under Buhari

    The PDP was quick in responding to the minister’s allegation yesterday.

    Ologbondiyan, speaking for the PDP in a statement, described the minister’s press conference as an extension of federal government’s media trial of PDP members.

    He challenged government to come up with the names of its members against whom the federal government has secured convictions.

    He said: “The list put forward by the Federal Government as purported looters amounts to a cheap blackmail as none of those listed has been indicted or convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction or any panel of enquiry in our country.

    “The list issued by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, only goes to show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency have no prove of corruption against the PDP.”

    The party said in its frenzy and desperation, the federal government even included names of individuals who are not standing trial or under investigation for any act of corruption, as well as those who are not even PDP members.

    “The Buhari-led Federal Government has manifested its frenzy by going after matters that are in court and in which none of the persons have been convicted, thus betraying their wickedness and desperation to mislead the public, the court and divert attention from the heavy looting involving their members,” Ologbondiyan said.

    “We are not in doubt that the individuals he has mentioned will take their legitimate stride and pursue appropriate action in the court.

    “However, attacks on individuals, who are members of our party, do not in any way detract from the fact that the PDP, as a political platform, is not a party of corruption.

    “It is unfortunate that the APC and its government under whose watch horrendous sleazes are happening on a daily basis and a government that has failed to fulfill the littlest of its campaign promises, can spend a wholesome three years

  • Metuh knows fate on no-case submission April 23

    Metuh knows fate on no-case submission April 23

    A FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has fixed April 23 for ruling on the no-case submission filed by a former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Olisa Metuh, accused of alleged destruction of evidence.

    Metuh was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ), on a two-count charge bordering on alleged destruction of evidence.

    The case, which was before Justice Ishaq Bello, was adjourned until April 23, with consent of counsel as the court did not sit.

    The case was earlier adjourned until March 7, for ruling on Metuh’s no-case submission.

    Metuh’s counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had on October 10, 2017, told the court that they would enter a no-case submission at the close of the prosecution’s case

    Arguing the no-case submission, Ikpeazu had told the court that the prosecution had not established any case to warrant the defendant to be called to enter his defence.

    He said the application was in pursuant to the provisions of Sections 302 and 357 of ACJA.

    He added that the defendant had a constitutional liberty and could not be prosecuted where he either refused to make a statement or withdraw any part of his writing in the course of making a statement.

    He said the defendant had a right to cancel any part of his statement voluntarily.

    He reminded the court that the charge by EFCC was that Metuh destroyed his statement and obstruct the EFCC officials by willfully tearing his statement.

    Ikpeazu added that a piece of paper not signed did not qualify as a statement by the defendant and urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendant.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, urged the court to establish whether or not a prima facie case had been made against the defendant.

    He added that cancellation was different from tearing, which was obstruction and urged the court to call upon the defendant to enter his defence.

  • Metuh brought to court on stretcher

    Metuh brought to court on stretcher

    •Trial for March 14

    Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh was brought to court yesterday on a stretcher in compliance with an order of a Federal High Court, Abuja that he must attend court or have his bail revoked.

    Justice Okon Abang, in a ruling on January 25, rejected a medical report tendered by Metuh’s lawyers, claiming he was on admission in a hospital.

    Instead, the judge ordered Metuh to attend court yesterday or have the bail earlier granted him revoked.

    In compliance with that order, his lawyer ensured he was brought to court early yesterday in a white ambulance, belonging to the National Hospital, Abuja.

    He was later taken into the courtroom on a stretcher, with the assistance of some medical personnel, friends and relations.

    He was covered with a white cloth, with an opening only in his head area, possibly to allow him breathe. He had bandage on his legs and neck area.

    Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited, are being tried on allegations of corruption and money laundering.

    When proceedings opened, Metuh’s lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) told the court that his client was in court in obedience to the court’s order, but was not in a good state to stand trial.

    He sought a month’s adjournment within which he said Metuh would have been fit enough to stand trial.

    Lawyer to Destra Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) agreed with Ikpeazu’s position.

    Lead prosecution lawyer Sylvanus Tahir said he appreciated the first defendant’s (Metuh’s) health condition, having seen the manner he was brought to court.

    Tahir said he was not opposed to the defence’s request for adjournment for a month.

    He noted that none of the papers tendered by the defence suggested the length of time that the first defendant will be hospitalised, but added: “We leave the decision about the time to the discretion of the court.

    “May I disabuse the mind of everybody (the court, the gallery and the defence team) that we are prosecutors, not persecutors. And in doing that, we have no ill-will or ill-feeling against anybody,” Tahir said.

    Ikpeazu appreciated Tahir for his understanding. And, as regard when his client will be fit for trial, he said the doctors were not categorical.

    He said: “We believe that within the one month that we have asked, and we pray extensively to that effect, that the first defendant should be fit to continue with his trial.

    “That period is a reasonable period for the medical doctors to enter a proper evaluation and assessment of the state of health of the first defendant. We fervently hope and pray that he will be fit to continue with this trial,” Ikpeazu said.

    Justice Abang , in his ruling, said he was mindful of granting the adjournment sought by Metuh’s lawyer in view of his state of health and since the prosecution did not oppose the request for adjournment.

    The judge added: “A court of law must be firm in its decision. A court of law must be fair to parties in a matter placed before it. And, when occasion demands, a court of law must also be humane.

    “I have seen the condition that the first defendant is in the courtroom. On the account of the condition in which I have seen the first defendant in the courtroom, I am inclined to exercise my discretion in his favour in adjourning this matter, at his instance, to enable him receive medical treatment.”

    Justice Abang adjourned to March 14 for possible continuation of trial in the case.

    At the conclusion of proceedings around 10.15am, Metuh was again moved out of the courtroom, still on the stretcher, into the ambulance stationed close to the court’s main entrance.

     

  • PDP has great set of national leaders – Metuh

    PDP has great set of national leaders – Metuh

    A former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has described the party’s newly-elected National Working Committee (NWC) as “one of the best set of national leaders the party has ever produced.

    Metuh said on Wednesday in Abuja that he was fully confident that the new NWC would lead the party to victory in 2019.

    He said virtually all members of the NWC led by Prince Uche Secondus were experienced in party management and politics, and were well prepared to serve the party.

    He said: “The National Chairman, Secondus, has been in party administration. He was a state chairman, chairman of G-84, national organising secretary, deputy national chairman, acting national chairman of the party and he has now become the elected one.

    “Also, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan, was a former editor of a newspaper. For the first time we are having a practising journalist as our spokesman.

    “We expect that he will excel. He is going to be one of the best publicity secretaries we have in PDP because he comes well prepared for the office.

    “His deputy is also well known and experienced in the practice. I think this is one of the best NWC that we can have. We are happy with the members.

    “Unarguably, this is one of the best NWC that we can have. The election worked very well, and we now have people who are equipped and ready to work for the interest of our party.”

    Assessing the process of the convention, Metuh commended the Chairman of the Convention, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, and his team for “good preparation, planning and execution.”

    He also commended the enthusiasm and excitement shown by party members, especially chairmanship aspirants who campaigned round the country.