By Damilola Adeyera
The trial of former PDP Spokesman, Olisa Metuh, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, was delayed, on Thursday, as his counsel, Mr. Emeka Etiaba, was absent in court.
The court had, yesterday, May 23, ruled that hearing in the trial would continue in the absence of Metuh who was also absent court the day before.
When hearing in the case began, Thursday, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, told the court that Metuh’s counsel failed to notify him that he would not be in court.
“This matter was specifically adjourned until today at 1p.m and by my time it is 1.35p.m. I have not been personally contacted by the defence counsel but I don’t know if he is in contact with the court registry.” Tahir said.
He, therefore, urged the court to deal with other matters of the day hoping that before Metuh’s case would be called again he would have been contacted by Etiaba. However, Justice Okon Abang adjourned the matter to May 25.
Justice Okon said, “I note here that the first defendant was not in court on May 22, the court then ruled that he jumped bail as the first defendant did not offer any reasonable explanation for being absent in court.
“The court subsequently decided that trial shall continue in this matter in his absence.
I am not inclined to stand down this matter, rather, I am inclined to adjourn this matter for continuation of trial,” the judge said.
It will be recalled that on May 21, Metuh fell as he was entering the dock. Hearing was then adjourned to May 22. Metuh failed to appear on the adjourned date.
The former PDP spokesman and his company, Destra Investments Limited, according to NAN, are facing a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering of $2million. It was alleged that Metuh fraudulently received N400 million from Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.
