PDP Accuses Presidency On Interfering In Metuh’s Trial

Olisa Metuh placed on a stretcher after appearing in court. Photo Credit: Channels TV

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the Presidency of unnecessary and undue interest in the on-going court trial of the former spokesperson of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh.

This comes in a statement on Wednesday by the PDP’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbodiyan, in direct response to tweets by a presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie.

Recall Metuh, had on Monday, appeared in court on a stretcher in the ongoing trial involving receiving N400 million from the Office of the former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, after the judge threatened to revoke his bail should he fail to show up in court.

The case was however adjourned till March on humanitarian grounds after the judge put into consideration Metuh’s health condition.

However, a presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie in reaction to the entire incident on her official twitter handle on Tuesday made light of Metuh’s appearance in court on a stretcher and in an ambulance, describing it as a Nollywood drama.

Her tweet read: “NOLLYWOOD drama Starring Olisa Metuh. Act 2 scene 1.[SPOT THE DIFFERENCE. PDP CONVENTION: Strong, hale & hearty and even throwing punches!”.

‘Days later …FRAUD TRIAL IN COURT: Weak, tired & bandaged to the neck on a stretcher & ambulance to complement the Nollywood drama.”

This prompted the PDP to react in a statement by its publicity secretary in which the party stated: “It is repulsive that a Presidential aide has once again intruded directly, with malicious suggestions, in a matter that is on judicial trial, thus further exposing that Chief Metuh’s travails in the course of the trial, may have been politically hatched and orchestrated.

“It is instructive to state that Chief Metuh, whose spinal chord ailment has badly deteriorated, was brought to court in his current medical state, sequel to the order of the trial judge.

“It is public knowledge that Justice Abang on January 25, 2018 rejected medical reports from doctors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where Chief Metuh had been on admission and ordered him to appear in court on Monday, January 5, 2018 or have his bail revoked. In fact, the judge ruled that he would thenceforth not accept any other report issued by any medical doctor on the accused.

“It is therefore irresponsible, wicked and an unpardonable act of inhumanity, for the presidency or any of its agents to mock Chief Metuh for obeying the order of court, even in his current state of health.”

“While we are not opposed to the trial of any of our members for any matter whatsoever, we insist that the process must be fair, without external influences and in strict compliance with provisions of the law.”