Olisa Metuh made the application to a Federal High Court in Abuja for the release of his passport to enable him travel. Justice Okon Abang had ordered him to deposit his passport with the court’s registrar as part of the bail conditions granted him with respect to his ongoing trial before the court.
Metuh wants permision to travel for five weeks to get treatment, stating that his decision was informed by the advice of a neurosurgeon in the National Hospital, Abuja, following the injury he allegedly sustained after falling from a chair at the national secretariat on April 26.
EFCC is prosecuting Metuh and his company, Destra Invest. Ltd, on 7 counts, including alleged fraudulent receipt of N400m from Dasuki to fund GEJ’s campaign and alleged money laundering offences involving cash transaction of $2m without passing through a financial institution.
Justice Abang on Thursday reluctantly adjourned Metuh’s trial and the hearing of his fresh motion seeking the release of his passport till May 23, after his lawyer, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), complained that his condition worsened overnight and was rushed to hospital at about 1am.
He said he insisted that Metuh must attend the today’s proceedings and that he met him at the court’s car park this morning and realised that he had vommitted in his car. Justice Abang said the issues raised by Etiaba were merely “sentimental” as there was no evidence to back the ill health claim.
The judge said Etiaba ought to have invited the doctor who attended to Metuh in the hospital to give evidence on oath with respect to his ill health. He adjourned till May 23 but with a directive that the trial would proceed day to day in line with provisions of section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
