Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), a defence lawyer to a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Olisa Metuh, announced his withdrawal from the case during the Monday’s proceedings of Metuh’s trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Etiaba announced his withdrawal from the case after the judge, Justice Okon Abang, insisted that the trial would continue in the aftermath of Metuh’s fall while the proceedings were about to begin Monday.

Metuh fell while making his way to the dock.

The judge insisted that the defence should call its next witness.

“It will be against all procedure of trial to say I want to continue when my client is lying down and I don’t know whether he is dead or alive,” Etiaba said.

But the judge refused Etiaba’s application to withdraw from the trial, saying “it is an attempt to delay this trial”.

The lawyer however, while he remained in the court, insisted that he had withdrawn from the case.

He refused to offer further contributions even when asked for by the judge.

Metuh, who with his company, Destra Investment Limited, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the N400m he allegedly received fraudulently from the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014, fell down, shortly after the case was called on Monday.

The incident happened at about 9.01am in the courtroom on Monday.

Metuh, who was seated in the courtroom close to the dock before the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, began sitting.

But Metuh fell as he was moving towards the dock.

The judge had to stand down the matter to enable medical officials to attend to the defendant.

The court’s medical officials, whose attention were called after the incident, entered the courtroom at about 9.19am.

On resuming sitting, the judge asked three of the court’s officials to narrate what happened.

They all said Metuh defied the judge’s warning not to go to the dock but to remain seated in his position.

One of the doctors who attended to Metuh has informed the judge that the defendant needed to see his doctor.

When the judge asked him for his opinion, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, did not oppose the application ‎stop hearing to enable the defendant to see his doctor.

cC: lalasticlala
http://punchng.com/judge-rejects-defence-lawyers-request-to-withdraw-after-metuhs-fall/

Fake Sickness

Olisa Metuh is a B-list actor where Dino Melaye is.

He should brush up on his ACTING skills

The judge was obviously unimpressed at the bad movie.

After PDP members and supporters will open their mouth and start saying rubbish like who has the government jailed for corruption since PMB assumed office. Mean while one of their one has been delaying the wheel of justice by faking been sick since 2015 any time he appears in court but the moment he leaves the court premises he becomes strong. Metuh attended the burial of Ekwueme on Friday and on monday he was to appear in court he came on wheel chair. Metuh was fully involved and participated in PDP convention on Saturday then on Tuesday he was to appear in court again he came with stretcher. Metuh was seen in a function last week but today Monday he fell down in court. Like Metuh like Dino, Dino has been busy in social media tweeting and snapping pictures ever since his case in court has been postponed to further notice but any day he'll have a date in court Dino will fend illness and be brought to court motionless on a stretcher. Coward Dino! Coward Olisah Metuh! Oya PDP come and defend your looters.

Over here when you fall and refuse to respond, a bucket of cold water comes to the rescue. If still no response, a lighted candle underneath the foot, if still negative, embalm him.

Poor man wey thief maggi
Omo, dem go show im face for crime fighter (crime fighter)
Rich man wey thief money
Omo, we no dey see their face for crime fighter.

One question for Metuh: if PDP is in power will he be sick?
and for Dino - i have nothing to say.

It seem the rich even fear the police and EFCC than average Nigerian man

Just little transmission from Police and EFCC they are already forming sick

If him like, mk e tear him foreskin from preeq.. Nobody goes

If they can rush buhari abroad for medical treatment why not allow this man exercise his rights to better medical care afterall a sick man cannot stand for trial and defend his case properly else they are making the whole exercise a waste of time and resources.

I love Justice Abang Okon.

He has no time for frivolities.

SMH

KenOne:
Metuh attended the burial of Ekwueme on Friday and on monday he was to appear in court he came on wheel chair. Metuh was fully involved and participated in PDP convention on Saturday then on Tuesday he was to appear in court again he came with stretcher. Metuh was seen in a function last week but today Monday he fell down in court. Like Metuh like Dino, Dino has been busy in social media tweeting and snapping pictures ever since his case in court has been postponed to further notice but any day he'll have a date in court Dino will fend illness and be brought to court motionless on a stretcher. Coward Dino! Coward Olisah Metuh!

Show mercy on the cowards who only have the vigour to participate in events that appeal to them. A court case is not appealing, hence the lack of vigour.

is this not the same judge preciding over Senator Murtala facing 28 billion naira probe, he granted the senator travel permits..

Justice okon abang no get joy at all ....

Metuh is a criminal, he can’t escape justice....

The theif was healthy when sharing, spending and lavishing the money....

In good health u stole and share the money and in good health u shall get judgement and be jailed.

God bless pmb...

God bless Nigeria

Metuh don hear am for Abang hand!

All these Liars/lawyers at the temple of (in)justice!

How many people died from the theft by Metuh and friends? That 400million theft cost a lot of people their lives. Metuh should be a man like he was when he was stealing and face the consequences of his actions. I support the judge.

Ruthless and carefree!

seconded

2mch:
How many people died from the theft by Metuh and friends? That 400million theft cost a lot of people their lives. Metuh should be a man like he was when he was stealing and face the consequences of his actions. I support the judge.

KenOne:
After PDP members and supporters will open their mouth and start saying rubbish like who has the government jailed for corruption since PMB assumed office. Mean while one of their one has been delaying the wheel of justice by faking been sick since 2015 any time he appears in court but the moment he leaves the court premises he becomes strong. Metuh attended the burial of Ekwueme on Friday and on monday he was to appear in court he came on wheel chair. Metuh was fully involved and participated in PDP convention on Saturday then on Tuesday he was to appear in court again he came with stretcher. Metuh was seen in a function last week but today Monday he fell down in court. Like Metuh like Dino, Dino has been busy in social media tweeting and snapping pictures ever since his case in court has been postponed to further notice but any day he'll have a date in court Dino will fend illness and be brought to court motionless on a stretcher. Coward Dino! Coward Olisah Metuh! Oya PDP come and defend your looters.

How many of this criminals has PMB convicted successfully and jailed for over 60 months he has been barking of corruption.

2mch:
How many people died from the theft by Metuh and friends? That 400million theft cost a lot of people their lives. Metuh should be a man like he was when he was stealing and face the consequences of his actions. I support the judge.

money that was given to him by the party hierarchy to execute a job which he eventually did ,how did it now cost peoples lives? the same useless okon abang was used to cause confusion in PDP until the supreme court over rules him . when he is ready for the case he would be serious . rubbish

God bless justice Abang God bless pmb God bless me God bless Nigeria

Throwback:
I love Justice Abang Okon.

He has no time for frivolities.

Even at point of poor health. Smh

.....Hnmmm !

Noisemakers where's Babachir Lawal