The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Presidency of conspiracy and intrusion in the ongoing trial of its former National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh.
In a statement issued by its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP condemned the alleged unwarranted and unjustified official intrusion and negative suggestions of the Presidency in the matter.
The former PDP spokesman is standing trial for alleged money laundering being part of the funds linked with former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
His lawyer Emeka Etiaba had informed the trial judge that his client was on admission at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital for an undisclosed ailment.
READ ALSO: Olisa Metuh Appears In Court On Stretcher
Mr Metuh was, however, wheeled to the court on a stretcher on Monday following the threat by Justice Okon Abang to revoke his bail if he fails to appear in court on February 5.
On their part, the PDP condemned a tweet by the Personal Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie.
They accused the presidential aide of mocking Metuh’s worsened health condition and his being brought to the court from the hospital as a “Nollywood’ act – SEE TWEET BELOW.
“It is repulsive that a Presidential aide has once again intruded directly, with malicious suggestions, in a matter that is on judicial trial, thus further exposing that Chief Metuh’s travails in the course of the trial, may have been politically hatched and orchestrated,” said Ologbondiyan.
“It is instructive to state that Chief Metuh, whose spinal cord ailment has badly deteriorated, was brought to court in his current medical state, sequel to the order of the trial judge.
“It is public knowledge that Justice Abang on January 25, 2018, rejected medical reports from doctors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, where Chief Metuh had been on admission and ordered him to appear in court on Monday, January 5, 2018, or have his bail revoked.
“In fact, the judge ruled that he would thenceforth not accept any other report issued by any medical doctor on the accused. It is therefore irresponsible, wicked and an unpardonable act of inhumanity, for the Presidency or any of its agents to mock Chief Metuh for obeying the order of a court, even in his current state of health” he added.
The party further claimed it has information that some government agents were allegedly harassing medical aides and practitioners for offering any form of treatment or assistance to Metuh.
They maintained that viewing such alongside the disposition towards medical reports on him, they were sure of “a grand conspiracy” to persecute the accused.
“While we are not opposed to the trial of any of our members for any matter whatsoever, we insist that the process must be fair, without external influences and in strict compliance with provisions of the law,” Ologbondiyan said.
POLLYWOOD drama Starring Olisa Metuh. Act 2 scene 1.
[SPOT THE DIFFERENCE]
👉PDP CONVENTION: Strong, hale & hearty and even throwing punches!Days later …
👉FRAUD TRIAL IN COURT: Weak, tired & bandaged to the neck on a stretcher & ambulance to complement the nollywood drama. pic.twitter.com/JNkUNsTtJr— Lauretta Onochie (@Laurestar) February 6, 2018
