Justice Abang Okon of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday deferred ruling on the rights enforcement suit filed by the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, to January 25, 2016.
Metuh, who is standing trial for a seven count charge of money laundering leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had filed an application before the court to protest the alleged abuse of his fundamental human rights by various anti-graft agencies in the ongoing case of alleged fraud leveled against him.
The application which was against the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF – first respondent, The EFCC – second respondent, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC ,third respondents, the Inspector General of Police – fourth respondent, and Nigeria Immigration – fifth respondent sought to ensure the enforcement of Metuh fundamental human rights, alleged to have been abused.
Metuh’s counsel, Olagoke Fakunle urged the court to enforce order four rule two of the enforcement of fundamental human rights rule, which allows the presiding judge the prerogative to adjourn on certain terms that will ensure that the respondents stay all actions in the “interim” that is against the interest of the applicant.
But this was opposed by counsel to the second respondent, Cosmos Ugwu, who appealed to the court to dismiss the application noting that it was not time for hearing on the matter, since the respondents are still within the five day period stipulated by law to file their reply.
In his ruling, Justice Abang held that the respondents were still within the stipulate time to file their reply briefs and therefore ruled that the matter was not ripe for hearing. He then adjourned the case to January 25.
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