A Federal High Court, Abuja Wednesday approved the withdrawal of Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, from further representing former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh.
It would be recalled that Metuh is standing trial on a seven-count charge preferred against him by the EFCC for allegedly receiving N400 million from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
Also, Ikpeazu on the last adjournment had filed a motion to withdraw from the matter alleging immense pressure and threats to his life.
In an affidavit in support of the motion on notice, Ikpeazu averred that he had received numerous threats to his life from diverse sources through telephone calls with disguised numbers.
He said the persons calling gave him an ultimatum and threatened to kill him based on the manner they claimed he had been mishandling the case.
But in another twist today, Metuh was said to have even debriefed his counsel ahead of the date fixed to hear the motion as filed by his counsel.
The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang said, “This case was adjourned to today to consider Ikpeazu’s motion seeking withdrawal from legal representation of the defendant.
“But the defence counsel also told the court that he had even been debriefed by his client.
” The counsel can withdraw his motion because it has been overtaken by event.
“The court cannot strike out the motion because a counter motion had been made. The application can only be dismissed and, is hereby dismissed.
“However, the court is wondering the effect of the legal strategy by the client but can’t question his decision and fundamental right to engage and disengage his client”.
Meanwhile, the court had ordered for a day to day hearing of the matter and, Metuh had simultaneously engaged Barrister Abel Ozioko as his new counsel.
Announcing his appearance, Ozioko asked the court for two weeks adjournment within which to have full briefing and understanding of the extent the matter had progressed before his engagement by his client.
In his ruling, Justice Abang also granted him the two weeks adjournment, adjourned to March 28 but affirmed that the court would no longer admit any frivolous application for further adjournments.