From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

Mr. Ben Nwosu, a member of the legal team of former National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh has explained why his client was moved from the National Hospital, Abuja where he was placed on bed rest to the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Metuh’s trial before the Federal High Court over N400 million arms funds from the Office of the Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), was on Friday stalled as a result of his absence.

When the case was called, counsel to Metuh, Mr Emeka Etaiba, tendered a medical report from LUTH signed by one Dr. Olufemi Bankole, stating that Metuh was admitted in one of the private wards on account of severe waist pain.

Metuh applied for a two-week adjournment to enable him recover and appear in court to stand trial.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, did not object to it since it was premised on health grounds.

However, the presiding Judge expressed his displeasure over the role played by the National Hospital. The judge who alleged foul play by its management said if investigation were to be ordered into the matter, many heads would roll at the hospital.

He granted the adjournment. The medical report by LUTH dated June 8, 2016 read in paragraph 2: “Pain is noted to be worse with prolonged standing or sitting. There is associated weakness of both lower limbs;

he is currently on strict bed rest.

He is to have an MRI on the thoraco lumber and lumbo sacral spines, the result of which will be useful for further evacuation and management expectedly over the next two-three weeks.”

Nwosu told Daily Sun that Metuh sought medical attention at LUTH in compliance with the ruling of the court, which while refusing his application to travel abroad for surgery, said he should seek medical attention in any of the teaching hospitals in Nigeria.

He explained that the National Hospital, Abuja did not issue any fresh report on the health status of Metuh or a referral to LUTH since it had earlier referred him to a facility in the United Kingdom for the spinal surgery, which is a very delicate procedure.