Andrew Orolua, Abuja
The trial of former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, who is facing six counts over an alleged N400 million fraud, continues today (Tuesday).
Trial Court Judge, Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday adjourned the trial till today.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had in 2017 arraigned Metuh along with his company, Destra Investment Limited for receiving the sum of N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).
At the resumed sitting on February 25, 2019 Obinna Ona, who represented Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the lead counsel for Metuh, pleaded with the court for an adjournment, citing the fact that Ikpeazu had travelled to Anambra State for the February 23, 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections.
He said: “My lord, the challenge at hand right now is that, the lead counsel to
the first defendant, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, is not around.
“I spoke with him this morning, and he informed me that he’s still at the collation centre; his younger sister is contesting for the Federal House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The other senior counsel in the matter, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), is presently before a Court of Appeal, and so in that circumstances, I plead with your lordship to adjourn the case till tomorrow.”
Counsel for the EFCC, Silvanus Tahir, did not raise any objections to the application.
Justice Abang, thereafter, adjourned for the continuation of Metuh’s trial.
