Metuh’s trial to continue in his absence, Court rules

The trial of a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Olisa Metuh, will proceed in his absence, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled.

Justice Okon Abang gaAve the ruling on Wednesday, two days after Mr Metuh fell in court with his counsel calling on the court to allow him to proceed for treatment abroad.

But the judge held that Mr Metuh had made several attempts to frustrate the trial and that he fell in court on purpose on Monday.

The judge, consequently, dismissed an application by Mr Metuh seeking to halt his trial due to ill health.

According to him, the court is entitled to continue the trial in his absence.

“The trial shall proceed in the absence of the defendant. See Section 266(a) and section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015,” Justice Abang said.

The court also ordered that the General Manager of Channels Television in Abuja and a presenter of the station’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, be summoned over allegations of prejudicial statements made on the programme.