The absence of Olisa Metuh’s counsel, Mr Emeka Etiaba, on Thursday stalled the hearing in the ongoing trial of the former PDP Spokesman in a Federal High Court Abuja. When the matter was called, the prosecuting counsel Mr Sylvanus Tahir told the court that Metuh’s counsel was not in court and had not personally reached him to explain his absence. “The court subsequently decided that trial shall continue in this matter in his absence. At the resumed hearing on May 22, Tahir, following Metuh’s absence, prayed the court to proceed with the matter in his absence since Metuh’s fall was on account of disregard of court directives. On May 23, the court ruled in favour of continuing with the trial in Metuh’s absence and agreed with the prosecution that Metuh’s conduct on May 21 amounted to a misconduct since he disregarded the court’s directive.

Source: Punch May 24, 2018 15:33 UTC