Metuh angry over EFCC counsel”s ”musical chairs” comment

Former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has rejected accusations made in court by prosecution counsel that he and his lawyers are tactically delaying his trial.  Metuh was in January 2016 arraigned before an Abuja Federal High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of receiving the […]

Former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has rejected accusations made in court by prosecution counsel that he and his lawyers are tactically delaying his trial. 

Metuh was in January 2016 arraigned before an Abuja Federal High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of receiving the sum of N400m from former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki through his company, Destra Investment Ltd.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Emeka Etiaba (SAN) brought separate applications for adjournment. 

Ikpeazu’s letter addressed to the presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang, explained that he is appearing in the trial of suspended Federal High Court judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

Etiaba on his part, stated that he is travelling to Lagos for urgent appointment with his doctors for some eye and tooth problems.

Responding to a question by Justice Abang on whether it was ethical for the two defence lawyers to ask for an adjournment at the same time, EFCC counsel Sylvanus Tahir said the defence have been planning to frustrate the trial. 

He warned the judge to be wary of the ‘trap’ being set and the game of ‘musical chairs’ being played by the defence to delay and start the matter afresh. 

He added that the court should refuse the application because the defence has exhausted their five days adjournment provided by Section 396 (4) of the ACJA. 

Defence counsel, Tochukwu Onwubufor (SAN) objected to the allegations made by the EFCC counsel and prayed the court to stand down the matter to enable him go to FCT High Court to produce Ikpeazu. 

Angered by the comment, Metuh told newsmen outside the court room that the he has borne a lot of sacrifices over the trial. He said he was made to sit behind a prison pick up van while in handcuffs without support and driven through potholes of the Kuje Prison to the court on several occasions, resulting in his spinal fractures.

"I handled the conduct of this case with all the discipline, comportment and decency I can muster especially, when it comes to the dignity of the legal profession and the laws of the land. I have respected the laws of our land. 

"But at the same time, I expect that when somebody is facing a criminal trial it is not a condemnation or conviction. One, we were in court today and the prosecutor, not for the first time, made certain comments that is very grave and very sad against me and my attorneys. 

"My lawyers applied for either a stand down or for the matter to be adjourned for the next day, and he used words like ‘musical chairs’ and what I believe to form part of a media trial or what he has already formed as an opinion on what the decision of the court should be. So he is already preparing the minds of the public. 

"When you are going for a trial, you should be looking for justice not condemnation. It means that any accused must be given the opportunity to defend himself." 

He said the case can only move faster  when the former NSA, Dasuki, who is included in his charge, is subpoenaed by the court to testify on the allegations against him.