THE trial of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, over money laundering charges slammed against him by the Federal Government before Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja was on Wednesday stalled following his ill health.
Metuh, according to reports was hospitalised at the National Hospital in Abuja after a minor accident.
He was said to have slipped off from the swivel chair reserved for him at the inauguration ceremony of the PDP caretaker committees for Borno and Kebbi states.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), prosecuting for the Federal Government had on January 15, 2016, arraigned the PDP spokesman and his firm, Destra Investments Limited, for allegedly receiving the sum of N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki, and used the sum for political campaigns for the PDP.
When the matter came up yesterday for continuation of trial, the court was informed that Metuh would not be able to stand for the trial because of his illness and the court consequently adjourned till May 17 and 18, 2016 for continuation of trial.
Metuh told newsmen shortly after the case was adjourned that he defied doctor’s orders to be in court yesterday for the matter.
According to him, “If I am not here, my bail conditions may be revoked and I don’t want that; I was in court for about three hours before the proceedings of the day, my lawyers are well aware of my health conditions that is why they prayed the court for an adjournment."
He added further that, “No matter the condition, I cannot wait to defend myself”.
The adjournment was to allow the first defendant (Metuh) attend to his health.
The prosecution had since February 9, 2016, closed its defence with eight witnesses, and the court had subsequently on March 9, 2016, dismissed Metuh’s the no-case submission.
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