The ongoing trial of the embattled former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisah Metuh, before Justice Abang Okon of an Abuja Federal High Court, has again been adjourned.
Metuh who is standing trial alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited on a 7-count charge, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly receiving N400million from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was again absent at the resumption of trial.
The PDP helmsman through an application filed before the court, had urged it to release his international passport, and grant him permission to travel to the United Kingdom for a surgery on his spinal column which is said to be rapidly compressing.
While Onyeachi Ikpeazu SAN, counsel to Metuh sought the court for an adjournment, Sylvanus Tahir, the prosecuting counsel did not oppose the motion, but rather urged the court to make further enquiries on the health of the defendant.
A letter from Metuh’s doctor indicating that the defendant was under admission at the National Hospital, was however tendered by the prosecution to the court.
Ikpeazu however submitted before the court that the “paper cannot be read alone with the antecedents of the first defendant”, urging the court to discourage a circumsised approach by the prosecution.
The court in its bench ruling, having considered sections 352 (4) and 266 (a) and (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), and the medical report signed by one Dr. O. O. Oyeleye a consultant, Neurosurgeon of the National Hospital, adjourned the matter to May 30, 2016 for continuation of trial.
However, Justice Abang faulted the report which it said was not helpful to the court, because, it never indicated the duration of time for which the defendant is expected to be bed resting.
“The report is not helpful to the court on the duration of time for the bed rest, the doctor ought to have provided the period. I have been wondering if the omission was in good faith or in bad faith, because the duration should have been provided”, the court held.
Having adjourned the matter to May 30, 2016, the court said that it was going to deliver ruling on his application seeking for release of his passport, if it is ready by Wednesday May 25, 2016.
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