By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted leave to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to try the embattled former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, in absentia. METUH The court said it was satisfied that Metuh has jumped bail, saying there was no reasonable explanation to justify his absence for continuation of trial. Justice Abang agreed with EFCC that Metuh had on Monday, engaged in gross misconduct when he disobediently attempted to enter the dock after the court had permitted him to remain where he was initially seated.
He noted that Metuh subsequently fell down on his own and disrupted proceedings by whispering loundly in the open court and groaning intermittently, “giving the impression that he was in serious pain”. “The 1st defendant has no right to hold this court to ransom by doing things or taking steps deliberately intended to scuttle his trial. “The 1st defendant has repeatedly made the court of law look like an accident scene. This conduct should not be allowed in the temple of justice”, Justice Abang held. He said Metuh had since April 2016 when EFCC closed its case, repeatedly “erected several road blocks aimed at frustrating this trial”. “In a bid to dismantle those road blocks, the court was accused of being biased and conducting unfair trial. However, this court will stand its ground and always do what is right”, Justice Abang added. He said Metuh “ignored a humane disposition of the court” by insisting on entering the dock, saying his action amounted to gross misconduct and wilful disobedience to the authority of the court. While invoking the provision of section 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Abang said: “I do not think that further hearing of this case in the absence of 1st defendant will in any way affect his right to fair hearing under section 36 of the 1999 Constitution”. Before adjourning the case till Thursday for continuation of the trial in Metuh’s absence, Justice Abang summoned the General Manager of Channels TV and the anchor of Sunrise Today, Maukpe Ogun Yusuf, to appear before him on Friday to show cause why an order should not be made to compel them to produce an unedited video recording of May 22 edition of the program where prejudicial comments were made concerning the court proceeding. Metuh is answering to a seven-count charge alongside his firm, Destra Investment Ltd. EFCC alleged that he received N400million from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, prior to the 2015 presidential election, without executing any contract. More details later.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/breaking-court-grants-efccs-request-try-metuh-absentia/

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/05/breaking-court-grants-efccs-request-try-metuh-absentia/

ok

ok

Good development...The people that shared our countries cake should be made to give account of it.

You can/cant be sick for 4 years except in terminal cases

No peace for the wicked

A good move so long it is allowed by law. Channels TV is becoming a shadow of its former self.

They refused he should go for treatment , Becos he is igbo.

You hate us igbos with a passion, yet you dare to come and canvass for our votes!

Let us go in peace u refuse!

Before anybody says its Becos of the war,
Watch their leader openly say they dislike igbos before the war.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WSosECbcmM

When he's done with his drama he should come and continue

hahaha

Oh! Metuh....the scape goat of Buharry's desperation to cling onto power come 2019......


Since Buharry came to power in 2015, his government has made zero convictions despite all the noise and propaganda about fighting corruption


Buharry should investigate and prosecute Dr Baru the oil thief as well as grass-cutting SGF Mr Lawal before we can take his anti-corruption fight serious

Nollywood gone wrong

Hmmm,laughing at our judiciary system here

Justice APC Abang

Una try well well

hy

HIP HIP HIP HURRAY! AND THE BEST NOLLYWOOD ACTOR OF THE DECADE AWARD GOES TO OLISAH METUH!

hello

Maanipako:
WWE no way out

hehehe

When u hear Okon Abang is handling your case, just sentence yourself cus he is gonna make you sweat it out.

Assuming this judge is Hausa, they will cry ethnicity. Nonsense!!

who think metuh can brought to his knee like this!

[quote author=Edu3Again post=67806913] They refused he should go for treatment , Becos he is igbo.

As usual always playing victim card. When EFCC was begging him for plea bargain he refused and you guys hailed him that he's really an Igbo man not a coward. While others utilized the plea bargain to avoid court trials but chest beating didn't allow him and his supporters.

docadams:
A good move so long it is allowed by law. Channels TV is becoming a shadow of its former self.

TVC don take over

Didi2d:


TVC don take over

I swear.