Metuh: Dasuki asks court to stay execution

By Vivian Okejeme

Abuja

Detained former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), through his counsel, yesterday, asked a Federal High Court, Abuja, to hands off proceedings in the on-going trial of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson, Olisah Metuh, pending a current application at the Appeal Court.
Also, the defence asked the court to order the arrest of the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Lawal Daura, for failing to produce Dasuki, in court.
The court had on October 25 directed Dasuki and former President Goodluck Jonathan to appear in court to testify in ongoing trial, yesterday.
The judge had two times issued subpoena on the Director-General of DSS to produce Dasuki in court.
Chief Mike Ozekhome appeared in court for Jonathan to challenge the subpoena issued on the former President.
Justice Abang had on October 25 given the court bailiff five days to effect personal service of the subpoena on Jonathan and also directed the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, to persuade the DSS to produce Dasuki in court yesterday.
Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, on why Dasuki was not in court, said he had taken further step to speak with the Legal Adviser of DSS.
He told the court that Dasuki spoke through an official of the SSS that he would not come to court to testify.
“Up till this morning, the said Legal Adviser informed me that they were ready and willing to bring the intended witness to court, but that the subpoenaed witness said, on the advice of his legal team, he has been advised not to come to court.”
Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), Counsel to first defendant (Metuh), urged the court to disregard Tahir’s submission that it was on hearsay and was not backed by an affidavit stating the facts.
In an alternative prayer, Ozokhome said Metuh should be made to provide the sum of N1billion to cover for Jonathan’s and his security personnel travelling expenses from Otuoke in Bayelsa state, the ex-President’s hometown, to Abuja.
He supported the call for Daura’s arrest and called for indefinite adjournment of the trial pending when Dasuki’s motion would be determined by the Court of Appeal.
Justice Okon Abang in his ruling said he would hear the two applications filed by the two applicants today.
“I cannot come to conclusions that the DSS has flaunted the court order. The issue to bring Dasuki to court should be handled administratively.
“The matter is hereby adjourned till November 31, at the instance of the first defendant to enable Dasuki to appear in court to testify in the matter.”

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