Fraud trial: Intimidation, conflicting situation led to my lawyers withdrawal – Metuh



A former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has stated role played by him in the resignation of two of his lead counsels, Onyeachi Ikpeazu and Emeka Etiaba.

Metuh, who is facing trial for alleged fraud, was represented by the two senior advocates since the beginning of the matter in 2016.

Explaining the withdrawal in a statement, Metuh said he took the decision to free the duo from the harrowing challenges they have been facing on account of the conduct of his case.

In a recent letter signed by both lawyers, they alleged intimidation from unidentified persons, saying they were facing a conflicting situation of meeting the demands of their other matters and satisfying the expectations of Metuh who had insisted on having them present in his day-to-day trial.

Reacting to the reports on their withdrawal, Metuh cited the alleged intimidation and the lawyers’ involvement in election matters as reason for their resignation.

Metuh alleged further that the lawyers have been faced with numerous threats in the course of the matter, adding, “ I hold Messrs Ikpeazu and Etiaba in high esteem and am still utilizing their legal services in other matters.

He said, “Consequent upon numerous enquiries and various reports on the change of counsel in my case with the Federal Government, I have decided to set the record straight.

“The fact is that in the past three years, my counsels have been under immense intimidation and harassment on account of the conduct of this case. Despite their travails, they have held steadfast on my innocence and have gone to considerable personal costs in the conduct of the case.

“However, in the last few weeks, I have become aware that their life and personal freedom have been under severe threats which development informed their application to the court to withdraw from the case.

“I therefore came to the conclusion that instead of allowing the issue of their withdrawal to be at the discretion of the court, it was better in the circumstance, to free them from the harrowing challenges they have been facing on account of the conduct of this case.”

Continued, he said, “Secondly because of the day-day trial ordered by the court, it became difficult for them to give my case the time and full energy the matter demanded given their diaries and involvement in other cases, (election cases inclusive)

“It is pertinent to state that the said counsels are however still representing me in other matters in other courts, as my estimation, respect and value for them have increased now, more than ever before.

 “My fervent prayer remains that at the end of the day, justice will not only be done, but would also be seen to have been done in this matter,” he added.

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