No Escape: Metuh's trial must continue, court rules

   Olisa Metuh’s trial must go on

– Metuh’s lead counsel, Ikpeazu absent in court

– Etiaba told to stand in for Ikpeazu

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the trial of the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh must continue.

In his ruling on Wednesday, January 27, Justice Okon Abang said the court will not adjourn on the trial as sought by the defense counsel, Emeka Etiaba.

Etiaba had earlier pleaded with the court to continue with the hearing on Metuh’s variation of bail application but stand down the trial due to the absence of some members of the defense team.

He had earlier informed the court that some members of his team – Chris Uche and Onyeshi Ikpeazu were absent and attending to an election matter at the Supreme Court.

But Abang overruling the plea said that Etiaba having followed true with the trial and also argued the variation of bail is very conversant with the case.

He also ruled that Ikpeazu as the lead counsel did not write to inform the court about his absence and that Etiaba cannot approach the court through the back door on the lead counsel’s behalf.

He added that Etiaba in his capacity as a defense team member can handle the case irrespective of the absence of the lead counsels.

On the order of the court, trial of the PDP spokesperson continued immediately with the invitation of the prosecution witness, Iniobong Effiong, a staff of Diamond Bank.

Effiong is the fourth witness since the beginning of Metuh’s trial, she was tagged PW4.

Metuh is facing trial for charges bordering on corruption practices and money laundering.
He was earlier granted N400 million bail by Abang and two sureties who are owners of property in Maitama district of Abuja.

However, the bail condition was varied by the same court, expanding the location of the property to any district within Abuja due to the applicants inability to meet with the conditions.