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  • PDP abandoned me, says Olisa Metuh

    PDP abandoned me, says Olisa Metuh

    A former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday accused the party of leaving him in the cold when he needed its solidarity most.

    Metuh said he laboured for the PDP and was sent to a 10-month jail for the party but its leaders turned their back on him during his travails.

    Metuh, who spoke at a thanksgiving service to mark his 60th birthday, said it was only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma who identified with him during the period he described as the worst in his life.

    The former PDP spokesman promised to assist President Tinubu’s administration in whatever way he can.

    He said: “My trial was one of the worst things that happened to me. The day I was convicted, I celebrated. There have also been good times. God has brought good people close to me, people who have shown me love and care. One of the people who have shown me love is the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma.

    “All my life, I gave it to the PDP. (Former Works Minister Babatunde) Fashola was my classmate at the Law School. He would call me to come and take land in Ikoyi, Lagos, and I would say: ‘How can I take land from the All Progressives Congress (APC)? I was very dedicated to the PDP. I cannot when I am in the PDP.’

    “When we lost the (2015) election, and the President wanted APC to have the Senate President and Speaker, he called several times. He kept on saying he wanted to work with me, but I refused.

    “When I had problems, I did not see my party; I did not see the people I suffered for. I did not see my party. I was in the court with my family. But in the midst of that, somebody whom I criticised so much reached out to me.

    Read Also: Tinubu, First Lady, Shetimma, hail PFN at 40

    “President Tinubu was the head of the opposition then. Every week, we must find something to criticise him with. In the middle of my problem, he sent the Speaker of the then House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to come and see me.

    “He reached out to me, he comforted me and he did a lot of things for me then. This is someone who was my political enemy. So, I say today that it is really not where you sow that you will reap. It is where God says you will reap what you sowed.

    “Politically, I am now active. Anywhere Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma goes, there I shall go too.”

    Admitting that Nigeria was facing some challenges, Metuh promised to contribute his quota to grow the nation’s democracy.

    He said: “I am trying to make sure that I assist the government at the centre and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to deliver the goods, the dividends of democracy.

    “I have seen the steps, I have seen the challenges. As a patriotic Nigerian, I want to join hands in resolving those challenges. I wish the PDP well. I gave my life to the PDP, but I have moved on, and I wish them well.”

    The former PDP spokesman said he believed there are credible people in the opposition who would make sure Nigeria does not become a one-party state.

    “There are a lot of credible citizens. Atiku Abubakar is a very credible person. Peter Obi is a very credible person. David Mark is very credible. There are a lot of people,” he said.

    Metuh said he was invited several times by President Tinubu to join the ruling party but declined.

    He added: “It took me a long time to get involved in politics. I’ve been called several times. The President wanted to work with me. Even in 2015, when we lost the election, I didn’t bother. He reached out to me again.

    “When I left politics in 2022, he called me to come into his party. I refused. After he won the election, I went to see him. He called me to join the party because he needed me, and he needed the kind of things that we could do. I refused because I stopped partisan politics.

    “Now that I’m in politics, I want to help. Maybe I could be a good voice on this side to ensure that the polity is good. As I explained to you, we need space in our democracy. We need to grow it. We need a vibrant opposition. We need people to express their views. We need to do all sorts.”

    The thanksgiving service was attended by Governor Uzodinma, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former Governors of Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo States, Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), and Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), as well as Senator Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye.

  • PDP abandoned me in time of need – Olisa Metuh

    PDP abandoned me in time of need – Olisa Metuh

    • …pledges support to Tinubu

    Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Sunday claimed that the party he dedicated years of service to and endured ten months in prison for turned its back on him during his time of need.

    Speaking at a thanksgiving service to mark his 60th birthday, Metuh said only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, reached out to him during what he described as the worst period of his life.

    Metuh expressed disappointment that the PDP, which he had labored for, failed to offer support during his trials. Despite this, he pledged to assist President Tinubu’s administration in any way he can, emphasizing his readiness to contribute positively to the government.

    He said, “My trial was one of the worst things that happened to me. The day I was convicted I celebrated. There has also been good times and God has brought good people close to me. People that have shown me love and care. One of the people that has shown me love is the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma. 

    “All my life I gave it to PDP. Fashola was my classmate in law school, he would call me to come and take land in Ikoyi, Lagos and I will say how can I take land from APC, I was very dedicated to the PDP. I cannot when I am PDP. 

    “When we lost election and the President now wanted APC to have the Senate President and Speaker, he called several times. He kept on saying he wanted to work with me and I refused.

    “When I had problems I did not see my party, I did not see the people I suffered for. I did not see my party. I was in the court, with my family. But in the midst of that, somebody who I criticized so much reached out to me. 

    “President Tinubu was the head of the opposition then, every week we must find something to criticise him with. In the middle of my problem, he sent the Speaker of the thenq House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to come and see me. 

    “He reached out to me, he comforted me and he did a lot of things for me then and this was someone who was my political enemy. So I say today, that it is really not were you sow that you will reap, it is where God said you will reap that you will reap. 

    Read Also: PDP’s gaffe-prone factional chairman

    “Politically I am now active and anywhere the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma goes, there I shall go too.”

    While admitting that Nigeria was facing some challenges, Metuh promised to contribute his own quota to grow the nation’s democracy, saying, “I am trying to make sure that I assist the government at the centre, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to deliver the goods, the dividends of democracy. 

    “I have seen the steps, I have seen the challenges, and as a patriotic Nigerian, I want to join hands in resolving those challenges. I wish PDP well, I gave my life to PDP. But I have moved on, and I wish them well.”

    The former PDP spokesman said he believed there are a lot of credible people in the opposition, who will make sure Nigeria does not become one party state.

    “There are a lot of credible citizens, Atiku Abubakar is a very credible person. Peter Obi is a very credible person. David Mark is very credible. There are a lot of people,” he said.

    Metuh said he was invited several times by President Tinubu to join the ruling party but declined, adding, “It took me a long time to get involved in politics. I’ve been called several times. The president wanted to work with me. Even in 2015, when we lost the election, I didn’t bother. He reached out to me again. 

    “When I left politics in 2022, he called me to come into his party. And I refused. After he won the election, I went to see him. He called me to enter the party that he needed me. He needed the kind of things that we could do. I refused because I stopped politics.

    “Now that I’m in politics, I want to help. Maybe I could be a good voice on this side. To ensure that the polity is good. Like I explained to you, we need space in our democracy. BBWe need to grow it. We need vibrant opposition. We need people to express their views. We need to do all sorts.” 

    The thanksgiving service was attended by y Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, former governors of Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States, Okezie Ikpeazu, Sam Egwu and Ikedi Ohakim, as well as Senator Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye, former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha was also present among others.

  • Tinubu hails Olisa Metuh at 60, describes him as a voice of reason

    Tinubu hails Olisa Metuh at 60, describes him as a voice of reason

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on his 60th birthday, praising him as a committed bridge-builder and a stabilising voice in Nigeria’s political space.

    In a statement issued on Friday by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President lauded Metuh’s contributions to national cohesion, describing the lawyer and businessman as “a significant voice of reason at a time of cacophony.”

    Chief Metuh, who turns 60 on Saturday, served as PDP spokesman between 2012 and 2016 and has, in recent years, been involved in peace-building initiatives across partisan and ethnic lines.

    Read Also: Tinubu felicitates Olubaka of Oka-Akoko on Ihare festival, 82nd birthday

    President Tinubu commended the former party spokesman’s efforts in promoting dialogue and understanding among Nigeria’s diverse political actors, urging him to remain steadfast in contributing to national development.

    He further celebrated Metuh’s humanitarian engagements and prayed for his continued well-being.

    “The president… prays that he enjoys many more decades in robust health,” the statement added.

    Metuh, a trained lawyer and businessman, has remained an influential figure in Nigeria’s political discourse, often emphasising reconciliation and unity.

    The President wished him a joyful birthday and renewed strength as he marked the milestone age of 60.

  • Tinubu taught me a lesson in tolerance, forbearance – Olisa Metuh

    Tinubu taught me a lesson in tolerance, forbearance – Olisa Metuh

    Former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olisa Metuh has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu taught him to imbibe the spirit of forbearance and tolerance in his political career. 

    Metuh, who turned 60 on Friday, said he remained one of the greatest critics of the current President when he served as the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP but said it was the same Tinubu that took interest in his health and family when he was arrested and being prosecuted. 

    Metuh, who is preaching nation building anchored on the spirit of tolerance, forbearance and unity said: “when I was National Publicity Secretary, there was nobody that  I issued press releases against and spoke out against more than the then, Senator Bola Tinubu because we identified him as the key, the arrowhead of the then opposition and we made a lot of statements against him.  

    “So I was really, really shocked that when I had my travails, it was the same Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I fought against that reached out to me and my family, to get interested in my health, in my well-being and to assure me about hope in life then.  

    “It taught me a lot of lessons. He taught me the spirit of tolerance. He taught me spirit of forbearance. And  I think that leaders should be encouraged to imbibe that spirit, whether in or out of office”.

  • Metuh seeks constitutional backing for zoning, party reforms

    Metuh seeks constitutional backing for zoning, party reforms

    Former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has called for an amendment to 1999 Constitution to provide statutory backing for zoning of national elective offices to promote political stability in the country.

    Metuh, who left partisan politics in 2022 to focus on national and global advocacy for democracy and good governance, spoke while delivering the lead lecture at the maiden international conference of Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State.

    He urged constitutional amendments to prohibit party defections by elected officials, as well as for laws to compel political parties to adopt ideologically grounded and programme-specific manifestos before elections.

    Speaking on the theme: Institutionalising Political Parties in Nigeria for Good Governance, Security and Development: The Case for Ideological Depth, Stability, and Democratic Consolidation, Metuh examined challenges facing party politics and governance in Nigeria and Africa, while proposing reforms under ‘the Metuh Political Doctrine’.

    He identified zoning and power rotation as tools for national integration in a diverse  Nigeria. “Though zoning has often been practised informally in parties, its inconsistent application breeds tension and perceptions of exclusion,” he said. “Institutionalising regional zoning through constitutional provisions would create predictability, promote inclusiveness, and enhance elite consensus.”

    Read Also: ‘How Nigeria can benefit from World Bank’s $2.5b carbon

    On defections, Metuh argued that the trend among elected officials undermines party identity and weakens democratic mandates. “The high rate of defections erodes party identity, weakens mandate of the electorate, and fosters political instability,” he said. “It also incentivises opportunism over ideological loyalty. To strengthen party institutionalisation, this paper recommends amending the constitution to prohibit defections by elected officials during their tenure, with defined and narrowly tailored exceptions as party mergers or collapse. This aligns with the principle of electoral mandate fidelity.”

    Metuh noted the need for legally enforceable ideologies, arguing that political ideology should form the bedrock of party actions and policies. “Our parties are largely electoral vehicles for elite competition, lacking clear ideological distinctions. “Absence of ideology impairs voter alignment, weakens accountability, and makes parties open to elite capture and factional crises.”

    He noted that while party manifestos could serve as tools for policy communication and voter engagement, in Nigeria they are often generic, recycled, and poorly implemented. “Institutionalizing manifestos through legal mechanisms and voter education would compel parties to abide by their declared programs and provide a basis for electoral accountability,” he said.

    Metuh further called for reforms in party financing to break what he described as the cycle of patronage that leads to elite domination. “To institutionalize parties effectively, a reformed funding architecture is essential,” he said.

    He proposed the establishment of an Independent Party Finance Commission to audit party finances and enforce compliance. According to him, such reforms would strengthen internal party democracy, reduce dependence on political financiers, and ensure greater democratic accountability.

  • Olisa Metuh confirms Omokri’s role in hiring Segun Showunmi as Atiku’s spokesperson

    Olisa Metuh confirms Omokri’s role in hiring Segun Showunmi as Atiku’s spokesperson

    Former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has backed Reno Omokri’s claim that he was responsible for hiring Segun Showunmi as spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Speaking with newsmen via a phone call, Metuh confirmed Omokri’s statement, stating, “It happened in 2018 when I was still active in politics. Reno called me to recommend someone for Atiku. I initially thought of Deji Adeyanju, but he had left the PDP. I had encouraged him to form an advocacy group instead.”

    Metuh added that he eventually suggested Segun Showunmi. “I remembered Segun and recommended him to Reno. I told Segun to call Reno, and he did. That was it.”

    He stressed that there was no confusion regarding how Showunmi emerged as Atiku’s spokesperson, saying, “There is absolutely no controversy about that.”

    Before ending the conversation, Metuh remarked, “I don’t think Reno and Segun are still in the PDP anymore, so there is really no controversy there.”

    Omokri, a former presidential aide to Goodluck Jonathan, had earlier revealed on ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast that he was instrumental in hiring several aides for Atiku, including Showunmi.

    He also stated, in a Facebook post, that he personally negotiated Showunmi’s salary during that time.

    According to him, “If I am nothing at all, I am a meticulous record keeper. In May 2018, Olisa Metuh, the former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, recommended Segun Showunmi for the role of spokesman to Waziri Atiku Abubakar.

    Read Also: Omokri: I remain with Tinubu despite Atiku camp’s attacks

    “Mr. Metuh asked Segun Showunmi to send his resume (what we call a CV) to me. Thereafter, Olisa Metuh asked Segun Showunmi to contact me for a job interview.

    “I spoke to Segun Showunmi from California and negotiated his salary with him. I thereafter informed Waziri Atiku Abubakar, and Segun Showunmi was announced as his spokesman on the terms I negotiated with him.

    “If there is any controversy or if anybody is using foul language to deny the obvious truth, then I urge the media to contact Mr. Olisa Metuh, who is an eyewitness and who was the one who recommended Segun Showunmi to me for employment as Waziri Atiku’s spokesman.

    “After he was employed, Mr. Segun Showunmi returned to Mr. Olisa Metuh to thank him for recommending him to me.

    “I do not want to be forced to publish documentary evidence. I would rather not. But if I have to, then I can. I urge anyone wanting to deny the obvious to think twice. Again, I repeat that if I am nothing at all, at least I am a meticulous record keeper.”

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

    Former Spokesman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday 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 learn early on Tuesday 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 made the disclosure while testifying on Tuesday at the resumed hearing in his trail. Metuh is being tried, with his company, Destra Investment on charges of money laundering.

    Metuh, who is currently 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 don’t have money to buy Panadol or water to drink.”

    Read Also: Olisa Metuh faces fresh challenge

    Metuh associated the freezing of his accounts with his ongoing trial, in which he is accused of unlawfully receiving N400m 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 funds affected by the recent 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 N400m 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 on Tuesday, 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 the spokesperson of the PDP 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.

    NAN

     

  • Court to rule on Metuh’s case July 11

    An FCT High Court, Maitama, on Thursday fixed July 11 for ruling on the no-case submission filed by Olisa Metuh, a former PDP spokesman, accused of destruction of evidence.

    Metuh was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) in January 2015 on a two-count charge bordering on alleged destruction of evidence.

    The case which was before Justice Ishaq Bello, was adjourned until July 11, with consent of counsel as the court did not sit.

    The case was earlier adjourned to May 31, for ruling on the no- case submission.

    Metuh’s counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had on Oct. 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 that the application was in pursuant to the provisions of Sections 302 and 357 of ACJA.

    The counsel 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.

    Also read :  Court declares Innoson wanted for fraud

    Ikpeazu said that the defendant also 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 EFCC officials by willfully tearing his statement.

    Ikpeazu argued 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.

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

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

  • Court to continue ex-PDP spokesman, Metuh’s trial in absentia

    …Summons Two Channels’ TV officials over alleged prejudicial comments

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the trial of ex-spokesman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh will continue in his absence following his alleged refusal to further attend proceedings.

    The court also ordered that the General Manager of a private television station, Channels Television, Abuja and the anchor of its daily Sunrise programme, Mrs. Maope Ogun-Yusuf should attend court on May 25 at 9am to show cause why they should not be compelled to produce the master tape of the recording of the programme aired on May 22 this year.

    Read Also: Ex-PDP spokesman Metuh collapses in court

    Justice Okon Abang made the orders on Wednesday while ruling on applications by Metuh’s lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) and prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir.

    Etiaba had, at the resumed proceedings in the case on Tuesday (May 22), told the court that although his witnesses were in court and ready to testify, but that his client was absent in view of the incident of the previous day.

    Etiaba said his client was on admission at the intensive care unit of the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was allegedly rushed to after he fell in court on May 21.

    He consequently applied for adjournment until when his client would be fit to attend court.

    The application, though supported by the second defence lawyer, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), was rejected by Tahir, who insisted that trial should go on in Metuh’s absence on the grounds that his lawyer did not provide any evidence to support his claim.

    Tahir equally complained about some alleged prejudicial statements purportedly made by a lawyer in the defence team, identified as Ben Chuck Nwosu, in relation to the pending trial, while he appeared on May 22, 2018 in Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily.

    He applied that the station’s Managing Director and the programme’s anchor be summoned to produce the recording of the programme unedited.

    Metuh, who is currently conducting his defence and was to call his 11th witness on at the resumption of proceedings on May 21, fell in court while making his way into the dock in defiance of the court’s earlier directive that he should not bother to move into the dock.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Court decides today whether to try ex-PDP spokesman in absentia

    Insists Metuh defied its directive

    To rule on request to invite Channels TV officials over alleged misrepresentation

    A Federal High Court in Abuja will decide on Wednesday whether or not to proceed with the trial of former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh in his absence following report that he was admission in a hospital and could no longer attend proceedings.

    The court will also decide whether or not it was necessary to invite the General Manager of a private television station, Channels Television and one of its officials, Mrs. Maupe Ogun-Yusuf to produce in court, the video recordings of the May 22, 2018 edition of the station’s morning programme, Sunrise Daily.

    Justice Okon Abang chose today for ruling after listening to the prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir made and argued both applications and the counter-argument by defence lawyers in the proceedings conducted yesterday without Metuh’s presence.

     Metuh is being tried before the court on charges of money laundering, along with his company, Destra Investment Limited, through which he allegedly made a case investment of $2million without going through a financial institution.

    At the commencement of proceedings on Tuesday, Metuh, who fell during Monday’s proceedings and was moved to an hospital for medical attention, was absent. His lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) who applied to withdraw on Monday, but had his application refused by the trial judge, appeared yesterday and told the court why his client was absent.

    Etiaba told the court that Metuh’s absence was informed by his admission at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was taken to after the Monday incident.

    ‎Citing Section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Etiaba prayed the court to adjourn the case on the grounds that the section forbids the continuation of a criminal trial in the absence of the defendant.

    Read Also: N400m fraud: EFCC asks court to try Metuh in absentia

    Etiaba observed that the court’s ambulance was used to convey Metuh to the National Hospital in Abuja on Monday after “a doctor of this court” was satisfied that he needed to be taken to the hospital.

    Lawyer to Destra, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) aligned with Etiaba’s application for adjournment. He argued that Section 266 of ACJA was couched in a manner that did not give the court a choice other than to adjourn proceedings in Metuh’s absence.

    Onwugbufor also argued that the exceptions in section 266 of ACJA that could warrant conducting the trial in Metuh’s absence had not arisen.

    He contended that fair hearing granted the defendant in section 36(6) of the Constitution entailed the mandatory presence of the defendant in court whenever his matter was to be heard.

    Responding, Tahir objected to the defence’s application for adjournment. He blamed Metuh for being authoring his fate. He noted that Metuh deliberately disobeyed the judge’s lawful directive to remain on his seat when he fell on Monday.

    He said Metuh’s refusal to obey the court’s lawful directive was an act of “wilful disobedience” which he said “amounts to misconduct”. 

    He added that since Metuh was taken away from the court on Monday, there had been no report brought to court on the status of the defendant’s condition. 

    “Therefore the defendant cannot be entitled to benefits of section 266 of ACJA,” Tahir said.

    Tahir said Metuh’s conduct on Monday was part of the delay tactics which the defence had allegedly employed since the commencement of the case to scuttle and frustrate the trial.

    Urging the judge to proceed with the trial, Tahir said Metuh’s absence from court was a violation of the conditions of the bail granted him.

    He urged the court to consider the provisions of 266(a) and 352(4) of ACJA and take the decision to proceed with the trial in Metuh’s absence.

    Tahir later informed the court that was a lawyer from Metuh’s legal team on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday and commented on the ongoing trial.

    He applied that the court invites Channels TV’s General Manager and the anchor of the Sunrise Daily, Mrs. Maupe Ogun-Yusuf, an application Etiaba described as incompetent, arguing that it was made within an application yet to be decided by the court.

    Etiaba contended that since Tahir made his application on the invitation of the Channels TV officials, while responding to his (Etiaba’s) application for adjournment, the request to summon Channel TV’s officials was incompetent.

    The defence lawyer equally accused Tahir of concealing the fact that a lawyer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Johnson Ojogbane, appeared in the case to defend the commission on the programme.

    He alleged that Ojogbane made a more serious prejudicial comment while on the programme by saying the commission was eager to see to the quick conclusion of the case to make it a reference point.

    Destra Investment’s lawyer, Onwugbufor, also urged the court to dismiss the application to summon the Channels TV’s employees.

    Onwugbufor said it was not the duty of the court to obtain and send evidence of alleged prejudicial comments made by the lawyers who appeared on the television’s programme to the LPDC.

    He said it was EFCC or any other person interested in it to obtain the evidence and send it to the appropriate authorities.

    On what happened on Justice Abang said, while interrupting Onwugbufor’s earlier submission, that the defendant “fell on his own”.

    The judge noted that the defendant decided to fall on his own after allegedly defying the court’s directive that he should remain where he was seated.

    Justice Abang said, “The court did not direct the doctor to attend to the defendant. I would not know the person that directed the doctor to see the defendant when I rose briefly upon hearing that the defendant fell down on his own.

    “The court directed him to sit down where he was but he decided to fall down on his own.”

    The judge also interrupted the prosecuting counsel to make the same clarification when the prosecution was opposing the request for adjournment by the defence.