A Federal High Court in Maitama Abuja, has adjourned sitting in the case involving the embattled Peoples Democratic Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh till Tuesday, January 20.
Metuh had been under the detention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over his alleged receipt of money from funds meant for the procurement of arms which was allegedly diverted by the ex-NSA, Sambo Dasuki.
During the court sitting, Metuh presented two pleas, one of which bordered on whether the Magistrate Court that sanctioned his continued detention has jurisdiction on such matters. The other prayer is on whether the EFCC was right to have continued to keep him in detantion.
But the trial judge, Justice Abang Okon , however, refused to rule on whether the Magistrates’ Court has jurisdiction or not.
The judge however handed the EFCC a five-day ultimatum to respond to the other plea.
It held that in line with the fundamental right application, the EFCC has five days after it was summoned to file its application if it’s against the application, adding that the sitting was“not determining the case today, its is only determining the interlocutory application.”
Okon said “In this case, the EFCC was served the application on January 13, 2016 and has five days to file its response.”
As to whether the court has jurisdiction in abridging time for the hearing of the application, Okon said, “the court can abridge time for hearing on the substantive application so long as the respondent is not opposing the application but where it opposes the matter is no longer an issue of time but that of law. The law is that the EFCC has five days to file its processes.”
Speaking on the adjournment, Metuh’s counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe said the matter was adjourned because statutorily, the EFCC has five days to respond to the application they were served.
He said, “The matter was adjourned because they have statutory number of days to respond to the application.”
Adedipe also pleaded with the press to be fare with news concerning his client, Metuh and not subject him to media trial.
“Some of the reports we have been seeing on the media are so upsetting. You people should try and consider that it may be you tomorrow. The matter is in court now and we do hope it would be allowed to do its duty in accordance with the law.”
He urged the EFCC to release Metuh or charge him to court if they have a case against him.
Meanwhile, the prosecuting counsel had earlier disclosed that they have filed fresh charges against Metuh.
While it is still unclear what those charges are, it is likely that the EFCC will arraign Metuh this afternoon.
Details shortly…
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