The embattled former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has asked Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court to summon former National Security Adviser [NSA], Col. Sambo Dasuki, to appear before the court and testify as his witness in the N400m fraud charges against him.
Metuh is standing trial alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited, on a 7-count charge of fraud to the tune of N400m slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC].
Dasuki himself is standing multiple trials at both the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] over charges bordering on the handling of the funds earmarked for the purchase of arms to prosecute the war against insurgency.
Although Metuh’s application seeking to summon Dasuki as his witness was filed on December 2, 2016, it has not been signed by Justice Abang.
The application, which was brought pursuant to section 241 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act [ACJA], 2015, titled “Witness Summons was addressed to Col. Sambo Dasuki c/o the Department of State Security Services [DSS], Abuja.
The document read “You are hereby summoned to appear before the Federal High Court, Abuja, No. 10 presided by Justice Okon Abang on December 5, 2016 to testify what you know in such matter and tender relevant documents.”
When Metuh’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba [SAN] drew attention of the court on the issue of the subpoena and the fact that it has not been signed, Justice Okon simply told him to discuss the issue with the relevant authorities holding his proposed witness [Dasuki], including the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir.
Justice Abang said; “discuss the issue with the authorities holding him and I am sure they will cooperate with you. You should also involve the prosecution counsel.”
If at the end of the day, the subpoena is granted, Dasuki will be summoned to testify as the 7th defence witness.
Meanwhile, the trial of Metuh was further stalled yesterday following his absence in court on medical grounds.
When the case was called, his counsel, Etiaba [SAN] produced a medical report from the National Hospital, Abuja signed by Dr. Charles Ugwuanyi, a neurosurgical with the hospital.
The report disclosed that Metuh was on admission at the hospital over some complex health issues.
Although, the medical report did not indicate the period Metuh will be on admission, his counsel sought for a three weeks adjournment of the case.
Responding, the prosecution counsel said he had no objection for the application for an adjournment since there was a medical report before the court.
Tahir noted that it was not sufficient to merely say the 1st defendant was ill without a medical report, adding “but now, the right thing has been done by placing the medical report before the court.”
He further submitted that by this action, the court, the prosecution and all the parties are protected.
Accordingly, Justice Abang, who is on posting to Asaba division of the court, adjourned further proceedings to February 20 to 24 on day to day basis.
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