Justice Okon AbangJustice Okon Abang, handling the trial of the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has said he had neither social nor work relationship with the politician.
Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja said he did not know Metuh during his practice as a lawyer and while in school.
The judge’s position is contained in his response to a petition written against him by Metuh to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta. Justice Abang’s response is dated March 23.
Metuh had, in the petition written against Abang by one of his lawyers, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), claimed among others, that the judge was his classmate at the Law School in 1988 and that he last met the judge late last year at the Meridien Hotel, Akwa Ibom.
Metuh, who said he was worried he could not get justice before the judge, accused him (Justice Abang) of bias and of deliberately refusing to release records of proceedings to enable him appeal the judge’s earlier decisions.
The PDP spokesman, whose move is seen as attempt to scuttle his trial, is praying Justice Auta to transfer the case to another judge to commence afresh.
Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited were arraigned before Justice Abang in January on a seven-count charge, in which they were accused of retaining proceeds of unlawful act and engaging in money laundering.
The prosecution closed its in February after calling eight witness. But, rather than open their defence, Metuh and his firm made a no-case submission.
In a ruling on March 9 Justice Abang rejected the no-case submission, on the ground that the prosecution has established a case against Metuh and his company, requiring them being called upon to enter defence.
Rather than open his defence,Metuh, on March 11 petitioned the court’s Chief Judge, raising sundry accusations …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
