Metuh knows fate April 23 on destruction of evidence charge

An FCT High Court in Maitama has fixed April 23 for ruling on the nocase submission filed by former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh.

Metuh was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge bordering on wilful obstruction of the anti-graft official’s and destruction of evidence.

He allegedly tore and attempted to chew a confessional statement he made under caution while undergoing interrogation.

The anti-graft agency insisted that the said statement would have been vital to the prosecution of the criminal ýcase pending against Metuh before the Federal High Court.

Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) on January 31 urged the court to dismiss the case, discharge and acquit the defendant, stating that since the defendant has the constitutional liberty not to make any statement, he cannot then be prosecuted by any other legislation for withdrawing any part of his writing in the cause of making a statement.

However, EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir contended that having volunteered to make the statement, Metuh committed an offence by tearing parts of the said document. He urged the court to dismiss the nocase submission, and order the defendant to enter his defence to the charge.

The trial judge, Justice Ishaq Bello had then adjourned the case to yesterday, March 7 for ruling but the court did not sit. Subsequently, with consent of counsels in the case, it was further adjourned to April 23.