Former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisah Metuh collapsed in church, and was rushed to the hospital at the weekend.
Metuh’s lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) disclosed this to a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, January 10 while explaining why the politician was absent for the case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Ikpeazu, Metuh was admitted following complications from the spinal cord ailment for which he had earlier prayed the court to allow him leave for a scheduled surgery abroad.
He said Metuh fell when he stood up to sing at his church on Sunday, January 8 and has since been on admission at the National Hospital Abuja where he is receiving treatment.
Ikpeazu said doctors at the National Hospital were still running series of tests and examinations on Metuh and had insisted that they would only be able to issue a report later in the day after collating the results of the tests.
He therefore urged the court to adjourn the matter till the next day since the doctors had assured that the report will be ready later today.
Ikpeazu also sought the court to direct the prosecution and an officer of the court to accompany him to see Metuh at the National Hospital if it is not satisfied with his explanations.
Justice Okon Abang in a bench ruling adjourned the case at the instance of the accused to Wednesday, January 11, on the ground that the same day had already been listed for continuation of trial on the case.
Metuh was supposed to appear before presiding judge Justice Abang in cases against him and his company Destra Investment Limited for offences relating to separate transactions of N400m and $2m.
EFCC had brought seven counts charge against Metuh and Destra Investment Limited including fraud involving N400m which he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014 without any justification.
Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated his side to the allegation of receiving gratification to approve the Malabu Oil transaction while he was in office.
Jonathan’s reaction came through his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, about 24 hours after news hit Nigeria that he had been indicted in Italy.
