Metuh: Jonathan, Dasuki absent as bailiff fails to serve summons

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan and former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki both failed to appear as witnesses in the trial of former PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh. The court bailiff failed to serve Jonathan the subpoena to appear in court in his Abuja residence as directed by the judge on Tuesday. Also, the […]

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan and former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki both failed to appear as witnesses in the trial of former PDP spokesman, Olisa Metuh.

The court bailiff failed to serve Jonathan the subpoena to appear in court in his Abuja residence as directed by the judge on Tuesday.

Also, the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce Dasuki, who is still in custody over alleged diversion of $2.1bn arms funds.

Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir asked Justice Okon Abang to order the service directly on the Director General of the DSS for Dasuki.

Tahir suggested that the bailiff should be empowered to serve Jonathan by substituted means.

But Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) argued that the bailiff cannot apply for substituted means of service because he has not shown the efforts made to serve the former president.

"Not being satisfied that he had done all he needed to be done, we cannot at this stage bring an application for substituted service, " he said.

Justice Abang is currently considering the arguments for ruling.

Metuh, who is facing seven-count charges alongside his company, Destra Investment Ltd, for allegedly receiving the sum of N400m from former NSA, Dasuki had argued that both witnesses are important for the trial.