Olisa Metuh in court
Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinyechi Ikpeazu and
Emeka Etiaba, have asked to withdraw from representing a former
spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, in his
ongoing criminal trial.
Messrs Ikpeazu and Etiaba in a motion dated March 4 and filed
March 5, told the court they are seeking the withdrawal because of
external intimidation.
“Emeka Etiaba and myself (Mr Ikpeazu) have been going through
immense pressure with respect to our appearance in this case and
will be unable to continue to represent the first defendant.
“I have received numerous threats to my life from diverse
sources through telephone calls with disguised numbers giving an
ultimatum and threatening to kill me based on the manner they
claimed I had been mishandling the case.
“Emeka Etiaba informed me on March 4 in my office at plot 10,
block Ix, David Dodo street, Gwarinpa, Abuja and I verily believe
him, that he had received similar threats and will thus no longer
proceed with the representation of the first defendant.”
They did not say where the alleged threat was coming from. But
the two lawyers also said the day to day nature of the trial has
made it impossible for them to attend the hearing as frequently as
they ought to.
“This honourable court has ordered a day to day hearing in this
matter and counsel will be unable to afford the time, having regard
to the diaries of their respective offices.”
The lawyers also said in the affidavit before the court that Mr
Metuh has insisted on having them present at all his hearing.
“The first defendant is insistent that he will no longer
tolerate the two senior counsel he briefed to fail or refuse to
appear personally for the hearing of the case.
“In the circumstance, it is impossible to avail the first
defendant the legal representation he deserves in this case.”
They also said in another paragraph of the affidavit that the
people threatening them accused them of “mishandling the
matter.”
The judge, Okon Abang, however, adjourned to March 13 for the
argument of motion.
Mr Metuh is facing a seven-count charge before the Federal High
Court of Abuja for alleged diversion of N400 million from the
office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.