Metuh, Badeh trial adjournment: How senior counsels murmured over Justice Abang’s absence
– The counsels mostly Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) representing different parties were seen visibly murmuring over the judge’s absence
– Most of the counsels were angrily complaining about the judge’s conduct
Justice Okon Abang
Following the absence of the trial judge in the case of the spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh and the former chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, some of counsels were seen murmuring in court on Wednesday, March 23.
The counsels mostly Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) representing different parties were seen visibly murmuring over the judge’s absence.
Most of the counsels were angrily complaining about the judge’s conduct.
They SANs who were all in court for the criminal cases against Metuh and Badeh were heard complaining why the judge failed to give prior notice to counsels for his absence.
READ ALSO: What happened between Olisa Metuh and his trial judge in Akwa Ibom
One of the senior lawyers was heard saying: “Some of us came from Lagos for this case and we have other engagements for Thursday. Justice Abang is so insensitive that he did not give us prior notice of his absence or the time-honoured courtesy of being consulted before fixing a new date for hearing. This is very unfortunate.”
The complaints came after Abang’s registrar informed the court that the judge was absent and that the court would not be sitting today.
The registrar also said that the cases have been adjourned to Thursday, March 24, for continuation of hearing on the matters.
Following a revelation by a counsel to one of the defendants (Metuh) on trial before Abang, the judge’s credibility might be under questioning.
The counsel accused the judge giving various rulings in favour of the prosecution.
READ ALSO: ‘Justice Abang needs to leave Chief Olisa Metuh alone’
Following the issues raised by Metuh’s counsel, Abang at the last sitting also denied any relationship with Metuh.
Abang had said: “I am not aware that the first defendant was my classmate, he said he is my classmate.”
But facts available to Naij.com show that Metuh and Abang were classmates at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1988.
Also, the past chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu who was also a member of the Law school class of 1988 confirmed the facts that Metuh and Abang were classmates.
Odinkalu had said: “I know Olisa and Abang have been together at more than two class reunions. In Lagos and Uyo. Someone isn’t being totally candid.”
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