The trial of the former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Olisa Metuh which held yesterday at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court yesterday didnt end well (see here),the trial commenced today and Mr Olisa Metuh was absent in court.

Counsel to his company, Destra Investment which is also on trial asked the court for an adjournment because Mr Metuh is receiving treatment at the hospital but the prosecutor, Mr Sylvania Tahir disagreed. In his response the prosecutor said the court was not notified on what transpired after the defendant was taken to the hospital, especially because the court did not invite the medical personnel who attended to the defendant and as a result of that Mr Metuh is not entitled to enjoy the benefits of section 266 of ACJA.

According to him, it should not be assumed that the court or the prosecution knows the state of the accused person as there is no medical report before the court explaining the absence of the defendant in this case. He pointed out complete disregard and disobedience to the authority of the court and the judiciary by the defendant.
Mr Sylvania Tahir said that there is no reasonable explanation for the absence of the defendant so the defendant is not entitled to enjoy the benefits of section 266 of ACJA. He urged the court to invoke the subsection A of the said act to take the conduct of the accused yesterday and continuance today as misconduct, and proceed with the trial in his absence.

"Going on with the trial in the absence of Mr Olisah Metuh will not amount to the violation of the right to fair hearing as submitted by counsel, a defendant cannot hold the court to ransom by doing things or taking steps deliberately intended to scuttle or frustrate the fair trial of a case" he said.


source:https://www.infonewsnigeria.com/discussion/256/update-olisah-metuh-absent-in-court-as-trial-continues#latest