Justice Abang Okon of the Federal High Court has ruled on Metuh’s application on the change of trial judge, striking out his application for lacking in merit, terming same as abuse of court proceedings.
It would be recalled that one of the counsels to Metuh, Emeka Etiaba had recently filed an application demanding justice Abang to disqualify himself from the case for being bias.
However, ruling on the matter on Friday afternoon, Abang held that the defendant had failed to provide facts that he had exhibited bias in his handling of the matter.
He ruled, “It is my humble view that the application lacks merit, it is an abuse of court proceedings and is appropriately dismissed,” Justice Abang said.
Earlier, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday faulted the allegation that the trial judge in charge of Olisa Metuh’s case, Justice Okon Abang exhibited bias while carrying out his function.
EFCC’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir said this during Metuh’s ongoing trial at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
According to Tahir, there is no evidence by the defendant to show that the trial judge had exhibited bias in his conduct.
Tahir said, “There is no reason in the circumstance of this case that will make a reasonable person decide that the presiding judge has exhibited any conduct which has cast doubt on his ability to defend justice.”
But the prosecution said Metuh has not provided “clear real likelihood evidence of bias against the judge.”
Tahir urged the court to discountenance the application for lacking in merit.
Etiaba in his response insisted that the trial judge cannot continue to preside over the case after he openly denied knowing Metuh sequel to the commencement of the matter.
“If it is established that my lord has met the defendant and he was with him when he received an award, then the judge cannot continue to preside over the matter,” Etiaba said.
コメント