Metuh loses no-case plea, to open defence March 17

The Federal High Court, Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, for lack of merit.

It also asked the defendant to open his defence immediately.

The presiding judge, Justice Okon Abang, had ruled on February 25 when the case was adjourned that if Metuh’s application fails, he would be expected to open his defence at once.

According to the judge, opening of defence by the defendant would afford him an opportunity to clarify certain issues bordering on the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He added that the evidence of the third and the eighth prosecution witness was relevant as it showed that the sum of N400 million was transferred to Metuh’s Diamond Bank account on the order of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

According to Justice Abang, a case had been established against the defendant and as such, he would be expected to answer certain questions bordering on the money allegedly lodged in his account.

“The prosecution will have the opportunity to examine the defendant. The matter will also not be clear if the defence witnesses fail to appear. I have no doubt on my mind that the defendant has some clarifications to make”, Justice Abang stated.

But Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the defendant prepare his witnesses, adding that it would have been impossible for him to predict the outcome of the application.

The plea was, however, objected by the counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, who held that while it was the right of the defendant to assemble witnesses, he nonetheless noted that the defendant ought to have been prepared as instructed earlier by the judge.