Olisa Metuh

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The absence of former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh in court forced an adjournment of his trial on charges of corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering before Justice Okon Abang of Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday.

Onyechi Ikpeazu, counsel to Metuh, informed the court that his client was absent in court because he was on admission at National Hospital, Abuja.

It was the third time the PDP National Publicity Secretary who is standing trial alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited on a seven-count charge of receiving N400million from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and money laundering of $2 million will be absent in court due to ill health.

Metuh had in an application argued in court yesterday requested for the release of his international passport and permission to travel to the United Kingdom for a surgery on his spinal column which his lawyer said is rapidly compressing. On Tuesday, Ikpeazu also sought the court for an adjournment to enable his client take care of his health.

He backed up his request with a letter from Metuh’s doctor indicating that the defendant was under admission at the National Hospital. But Sylvanus Tahir, the prosecuting counsel who did not oppose the motion urged the court to make further enquiries on the health of the defendant.

In his bench ruling, Justice Abang said 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.

He however 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 on Wednesday.