Judge Adamant As Metuh Accuses Judge Of Bias, Seeks Transfer

BEVERLY HILLS, March 17, (THEWILL) – National Publicity Secretary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has written a protest letter to the Honorable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting that his case be transferred to another judge.

This was revealed by Justice Okon Abang, of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, who is being accused by Metuh, while addressing counsel to the prosecution and the defence in court on Thursday.

Abang added that Etiaba also accused him of giving majority of rulings in favour of the prosecution, and that Metuh was his classmate at law school.

The judge disclosed that he never knew Metuh, declaring that Etiaba would need to prove the allegation and thus opted to continue to preside in the case of corruption and money laundering brought by the Economic against the PDP chieftain.

“On the 16th of March, 2016, around 4pm, the Hon. Chief Judge forwarded a copy of a letter from Emeka Etiaba, SAN, praying to transfer this case to another judge,” he said.

“The court will not be blackmailed. I fear no evil.

“I shall continue to preside over this case until the honourable chief judge takes a decision on the petition.

“I have a circular written by my employer stating that where there is a petition seeking transfer of case, the judge handling the matter should continue to preside over the matter until the honourable Chief Judge takes a decision on the matter”.

However, the case could not proceed as Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), one of Metuh's lawyer, requested for an adjournment saying the lead defence counsel was absent and presented a letter written by Onyechi Ikpeazu, the lead defence counsel, requesting an adjournment of the case.

Responding, Tahir Sylvanus, counsel to the EFCC said he was baffled that Metuh was trying to stall his trial but reluctantly conceded to the application for adjournment.

The EFCC had in a seven-count charge accused Metuh of receiving the sum of N400 million from the former NSA, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, through his company, Destra Investment Ltd.

He has maintained his innocence, saying he only received funds from the office of the former NSA to carry out media campaigns for former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Story by David Oputah