Former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh was brought to court Mondayon a stretcher in compliance with an order of a Federal High Court, Abuja that he must attend court or have his bail revoked.
Justice Okon Abang in a ruling on January 25, rejected a medical report tendered by Metuh’s lawyers, claiming he was on admission in an hospital. Instead, the judge ordered Metuh to attend court today or have the bail earlier granted him revoked.
In compliance with that order, his lawyer ensured he was brought to court early in a white ambulance, belonging to the National Hospital, Abuja.
He was later taken into the courtroom on a stretcher, with the assistance of some medical personnel, friends and relations.
He was covered with a white cloth, with an opening only in his head area, possibly to allow him breathe. He had bandage on his legs and neck area.
Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited are being tried on allegations of corruption and money laundering.
When proceedings opened, Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) told the court that his client was in court in obedience to the court’s order, but was not in a good state to stand trial.
He sought a month’s adjournment within which Metuh would have been fit enough to stand trial.
Lawyer to Destra, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) agreed with Ikpeazu’s position.
Prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir did not object to an adjournment, following which Justice Tsoho adjourned to March 14 for possible continuation for trail.
At the conclusion of proceedings around 10.15am, Metuh was again moved out of the courtroom, still on the stretcher, into the ambulance stationed close to the court’s main entrance.