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Hands-Off Metuh’s Trial, Jonathan, Dasuki Tell Abang
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and detained former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, yesterday, asked Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja to hands-off the ongoing trial of erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh
Jonathan, through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, maintained that Justice Abang was bound to suspend further hearing on the case to allow the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to determine an appeal that was lodged before it by Dasuki. Ozekhome anchored the request on Order 4 Rules 10 and 11 of the Court of Appeal Rules.
Dasuki had gone before the appellate court to challenge Justice Abang’s refusal to quash the subpoena that was issued to compel him to appear as a witness in Metuh’s trial. Justice Abang had pursuant to an application by Metuh, summoned both Jonathan and Dasuki to appear and give evidence in the matter.
The former PDP spokesman who is answering to a seven-count corruption charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and his company, Destra Investment Ltd, had described Jonathan and Dasuki as his crucial and vital witnesses. Failure of the duo to appear before the court on October 25 as they were directed, led to the trial Judge extending summons against them to yesterday.
Meanwhile, at the resumed proceeding, neither Jonathan nor Dasuki was present in court. Rather, Dasuki’s lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, drew attention of the court to his client’s pending appeal, saying there was need for the trial Judge to hands-off for the appellate court.
Neverthless, absence of Dasuki in court infuriated the defence lawyers who urged Justice Abang to issue warrant of arrest against the Director General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Mr. Lawal Daura.
In his submission, counsel to the 2nd defendant, Mr. Tochukwu Onwugbufor, SAN, argued that action of the DSS by refusing to produce Dasuki as it was ordered to do, was in contempt and disrespect to the court.
He urged the court to apply the consequences provided by the law under section 244 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and order Daura’s arrest. Onwugbufor’s application for Daura to be arrested was immediately supported by both Metuh and Jonathan.
According to Jonathan’s lawyer, Chief Ozekhome, “My lord, it is inconceivable that the DSS could not bring a person who has been in their custody for two years and who has not been proved to be violent. I think they are taking this court for a ride. “This court is not a table tennis court, or basketball court or lawn tennis court.
“The applicable section, therefore, is section 243 and 244 of ACJA.” However, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir told the court that he was informed by the DSS that Dasuki refused to be brought before the court.
Tahir said EFCC had in compliance to the order of the court, liaised with the Legal Adviser of the DSS on the need for the former NSA to be produced to give evidence in the trial.
“Up till this morning, exactly a quarter after 7am, 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 he has been advised by his legal team not to come to court.
“I told the Legal Adviser that in the circumstances the DSS found itself, they should personally come to court this morning to explain their situation to the honourable court. Our own role was to facilitate by liaising with the DSS and we have played our part.”
Later in the course of the proceeding, Tahir announced the appearance of one Mr. Echika Owete who he said was sent to represent the DSS. He urged Justice Abang to ignore request for an arrest warrant to be issued against the DSS DG.
“It appears my lord that the DSS indeed made genuine effort to bring the witness. The Legal Adviser sent me another text message around 9:45am that Dasuki has finally agreed to appear before this court. He said the message read: “Subject is still adamant and blatantly refused to appear in court except by force.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.