He has right to refile appeal, will concentrate on his worsening health - Metuh's lawyer speaks on Supreme Court ruling

macfranc007 February 13, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Nnenna Ibeh

- A lawyer to the former publicity secretary of Peoples Democratic Party has said that Olisa Metuh can refile an appeal

- The lawyer's reaction followed a judgement by the Supreme Court on Metuh's no case submission against EFCC

- Ben Chuks-Nwosu said Metuh and his family will however, focus on his worsening health condition

A former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, has reacted to a recent Supreme Court ruling on his 'no case submission' filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Metuh through his counsel Ben Chuks-Nwosu said he has a right to refile and appeal on the matter.

In a statement released on Monday, February 12, Chuks-Nwosu said his client reserves the legal right to to comply with the Supreme Court by seeking a leave to appeal.

Chuks-Nwosu said the new appeal would grant Metuh an opportunity to be heard on its merit.

He however, said despite the decision of the court on the matter, his client and his familiy would concentrate on his worsening health challenge.

"While we welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court on the No Case Submission filed by our client, Chief Olisa Metuh, on his on-going case at the Federal High Court, Abuja, we wish to state for the records, that the appeal was struck out on technical grounds; as the Supreme Court did not determine the matter on the merit or it's lack thereof.

"Whereas our client retains the legal right to comply with the Supreme Court's decision by seeking leave to appeal so that the matter can be heard on its merit, we are more eager to continue with the defence of the substantive suit; as this is the fastest way to prove his innocence.

"However, more important to our client and his family right now is his health challenge and the treatment of his worsening spinal chord ailment. We are following all lawful ways and means to ensure that he receives appropriate medical treatment, especially against the background of recent events that clearly put his life in danger.

"We restate our complete faith in the laws of our land, confident that truth, justice and equity will prevail in the end," the lawyer said.

NAIJ.com earlier reported that the Supreme Court had ruled that he has a case to answer over the alleged N400 million case against him by the EFCC.

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The court said Metuh failed to first obtain the leave of either the trial court or the appellate court before filing a notice of appeal as required by the constitution.

The court ruled that the appellants having failed in that regard their appeals were incompetent and the court lacked jurisdiction to hear them.

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