Proceedings in the trial of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh took a dramatic turn yesterday when he collapsed at the mention of the case in court.
He remained on the ground in the dock until the court was compelled to adjourn for him to be taken to his doctors.
Metuh is being tried for alleged money laundering offences, with his company, Destra Investment Limited.
The ex-PDP spokesman, who is presently conducting his defence, was to call his 11th defence witness at yesterday’s proceedings.
When the case was called, Metuh, who had sat outside the dock, attempted to stand up, Justice Okon Abang told an official of the court to tell the defendant to remain seated.
Despite the judge’s advice, Metuh, who had with him a walking stick, stood up and moved towards the dock. He tripped and fell beside the dock.
Immediately, the judge asked the court official to ascertain what had happened to the defendant.
The court official rushed to where the defendant laid and went back to report to the judge what had happened. She later went to invite medical personnel from the court’s clinic.
While the court’s medical personnel were attending to the defendant, the judge directed that the proceedings of the day should continue.
The judge asked Metuh’s lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), to call his next witness, following which the lawyer called the witness identified as Deji, who subsequently went into the witness box.
Etiaba later told the court that, in view of what had just happened to his client, he could no longer proceed with the business of the day.
Justice Abang interjected and told Etiaba that his observation about what happened to his client was unnecessary, because the court has taken notice of the occurrence.
On realising that the judge was unwilling to be persuaded to adjourn proceedings, Etiaba applied to withdraw from the case.
Etiaba said: “My Lord, I apply to withdraw from this trial because, as I speak to the court, my client is being attended to on the floor. He is obviously sick and the medical officials of the court are attending to him.
“I cannot continue with these proceedings, because my client cannot follow proceedings. If this court is not recording me, the whole world can see that my client is lying ill in court in flesh and blood,” Etiaba said.
In a brief ruling, Justice Abang rejected Etiaba’s application to withdraw from the case.
The judge also reviewed what happened earlier, and noted that Metuh fell when he ignored the court’s advice to remain on his seat.
Metuh had consistently complained of ill-health. He had, on two occasions, applied to the court to be allowed to travel abroad for medical attention, which the court rejected.
Justice Abang, in his ruling, noted that in recent time, Metuh had always sat outside the dock in view of his complaint of ill-health.
He wondered why the defendant ignored the court’s advice to remain on his seat, but instead stood up and went towards the dock, only to fall.
After the judge’s ruling, a medical officer, who was among those attending to Metuh, where he laid beside the dock, approached the judge and sought his permission to allow the defendant to be taken away for proper medical attention outside the courtroom.
Lead prosecution lawyer Sylvanus Tahir did not object to the request.
When the judge sought his opinion, Etiaba declined to comment, insisting he had withdrawn from the case.
Lawyer to Destra, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) agreed that Metuh be promptly taken for medical attention.
Justice Abang said in view of the observation and advice by the court’s medical personnel, he would adjourn till May 22 for the first defendant to be taken for medical attention.
He, however, frowned at Etiaba’s conduct, noting that the senior lawyer’s refusal to answer the court’s question was unethical and rude.
The judge said, as a lawyer in a case, such a counsel’s duty is first to the court and not his client.
He said Etiaba’s refusal to respond to the court’s question was intended to compound the case and delay proceedings.
Justice Abang was also displeased that the prosecution lawyer conceded easily to the request for adjournment.
He particularly noted that Metuh tripped and fell on his own, even after the court had asked him to remain on his seat.
Justice Abang turned to Tahir and said: “This case is not that of the Federal High Court. You, the prosecution, brought the defendants to court. If you are not ready to proceed with this case, apply to withdraw it and I will strike it out.”
While the proceeding lasted, Metuh, who was dressed in ash coloured native attire, remained on the floor.
His friends and relatives, who were in court, later assisted the court’s medical personnel to move him on a stretcher into a waiting ambulance stationed close to the main entrance to the court building.
