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I’m adjourning for the last time, judge warns Metuh

By Bridget Chiedu Onochie
25 March 2016   |   2:48 am
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday warned the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh.
PHOTO:www.channelstv

PHOTO:www.channelstv

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday warned the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, against supposed frivolous adjournments.

Justice Okon Abang, who gave the warning while ruling on an application by Metuh asking the court to disqualify itself on the ground that he may not get justice from it, however, fixed April 8 for hearing.

He categorically stated that it was the last time he would grant adjournment in the suit.

According to him, Section 396 (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act stipulates that hearing on such case should be on a daily basis.

Metuh had filed an application dated March 22 and served on same day, asking the court to disqualify self and return the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta. The second application also asked the court to s stay proceedings pending the decision of the Court of Appeal.

Recall that Metuh, through one of his counsel, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), had on March 16, petitioned Justice Auta urging transfer of the case.

Metuh was expected to open defence but the issue of the petition and the fact that his lead counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu was not on ground, caused the court to originally adjourn the case till Wednesday.

The counsel, including Ikpeazu were, however, in court on Wednesday but were told by the court registrars that all the cases schedule for the day had been adjourned till yesterday as the judges were attending a seminar.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Etiaba asked the court for an adjournment to enable Ikpeazu recover fully. He further told the court that the lead counsel was in court Wednesday with heavy and black eyes resulting from the surgery he underwent at the First Eye Clinic, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

He added that the issue of the surgery had previously been discussed with the prosecutor.

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