A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the
National Publicity Secretary of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh to open his
defence on Monday, April 11. Justice Okon Abang
also dismissed four applications brought by
Metuh seeking to stop the trial and directed that
he must present his witnesses unfailingly on
Monday.
Metuh was on January 15 arraigned by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) on allegations of receiving the sum of
N400 million arms funds from the office of former
National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo
Dasuki (rtd), through his company, Destra
Investments Ltd in December 2014.
The EFCC concluded its case within one month
after presenting eight witnesses. The court
ordered Metuh to open his defence. But Metuh
asked for more time to present witnesses.
The judge had warned that after five
adjournments at the instance of Metuh, no further
adjournments would be granted by the court.
But Metuh’s counsel Emeka Etiaba (SAN) at the
resumed hearing yesterday, argued his application
asking the judge to disqualify himself from the
case on grounds of bias and for being his former
law school mate.
Ruling on both applications, the judge held that
the allegation of bias against him had no merit
and was not proved. The judge also dismissed
the application to stay proceedings stating that
Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act (ACJA) provides that such
applications ‘shall not be entertained by the
court.’
Justice Abangalso refused another application by
defence counsel, which is to enable him conclude
his eye treatment in Ilorin, Kwara State.



www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/judge-orders-metuh-to-open-defence-on-monday/141621.html