A judge presiding over the case
of alleged fraud involving a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples
Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, has demanded the prosecution of three staff of
Channels Television.
The judge, Okon Abang, also asked
the office of the attorney general to institute a case of alleged prejudicial
comments against a lawyer, Benchux Nwosu, representing Mr Metuh.
The judge gave the order after
listening to a recorded programme aired on Channels Television involving the
ongoing trial of Mr Metuh.
The judge, however, failed to
include a lawyer representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
Johnson Ojogbane, who spoke through a telephone conversation to the station
during the aired programme.
“The court has listened
attentively to the video recording of Channels Television Sunrise Daily of
April, 2018.
“I noticed that Bemchux Nwosu was
also on the programme. I heard what he said about the trial going on in this
court. If he was in court before me. I would have known what to do. I thought he
had the courage. He ought to have appeared before the court.
“It is clear that the statement
of the programme was aired outside the court not within the court therefore I
have no jurisdiction to determine whether the statements are prejudicial to
this court,” the judge said.
Mr Abang said though he has no
jurisdiction to declare that the statement made by the three persons
representing channels constituted prejudicial discussion, ” I have jurisdiction
to refer this matter to the body that can determine such.”
The judge then ordered that the
matter be referred to the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Bar
Association. He also directed that the prosecution (EFCC) file copies of
compliance to the judgement within 30 days.
Part of what the prosecution is
expected to comply with is the arraignment of the three journalists along with
Mr Nwosu in a court of law.
The judge said the case should be
instituted by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar
Malami.
Details later…
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