N400m fraud trial: Metuh sacks Ikpeazu, hires new lawyer
Andrew Orolua, Abuja
Embattled former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh on Wednesday sacked Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Emeka Etiaba (SAN), and has engaged a new lawyer, Abel Oziokor to continue his defense in his alleged N400 million money laundering trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Oziokor’s appointment comes shortly after Metuh debriefed his former counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), who had been in charge of the case since 2015, when the trial started.
Metuh and his company, Dextra Investment Limited are being prosecuted by the federal government over alleged money laundering and illegal receipt of funds from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
At its last sitting, Ikpeazu had informed the court of an application he filed seeking leave of the court to withdraw from the matter.
In the application dated March 4 and filed March 5, Ikpeazu had cited what he described as “immense pressure with respect to their appearance in the case” as well as “severe threats to their lives.”
Responding, trial judge, Justice Okon Abang then adjourned till March 13 for hearing on Ikpeazu’s motion on withdrawal from the suit.
However, a new twist emerged Wednesday when the matter was called. Instead of hearing the motion of withdrawal, the court’s attention was drawn to a letter by Metuh debriefing Ikpeazu from continuing as his counsel. The letter dated March 6, 2019 was filed March 12, 2019.
Justice Abang, who wondered why the first defendant would debrief his former counsel only few days after the counsel applied to withdraw from the case, however, held that there is nothing the court can do, other than to respect the decision of the defendant.
“The court cannot question his decison or carry out an investigation to know why he is disengaging his client. It is his fundamental right,” the judge held.
The new counsel, Oziokor, however applied for a short adjournment to enable him study the case file so that he can properly defend his client and Justice Abang, subsequently, adjourned the matter till March 28.
