From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The protracted ill health of former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday, forced Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court to further adjourned his trial till today.
When the case came up yesterday, the court was told that Metuh was on admission at the National Hospital Abuja.
His counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) informed the court that Metuh was, on Sunday, rushed to the National Hospital, where he was admitted for complications arising from the spinal cord ailment for which he had earlier prayed the court to allow him leave for a scheduled surgery abroad. Ikpeazu narrated how doctors at the National Hospital were still running series of tests and examinations on Metuh and insisted they would only be able to issue a report later in the day after collating the results of the tests.
Accordingly, he prayed the court to adjourned the matter till today since the doctors had assured the report will be ready later yesterday. Ikpeazu also sought the court to direct the prosecution and an officer of the court to accompany him to see Metuh at the National Hospital if it was not satisfied with his explanations.
Making his contribution on the matter, counsel to Destra Investment Limited, Chief Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) told the court that Metuh took ill and, suddenly, could not stand while attending church service on Sunday after which it was realised that his lower limbs had gone numb.
According to him,  Metuh had to undergo series of examinations including an MRI scan on his spine at an Indian Hospital in Karu, Abuja, on Monday, which results came in late last night, making it difficult for the team of doctors to arrive at a comprehensive deduction for a medical report the same day.
Onwugbufor urged the court to note that “the defendant is human and susceptible to the frailties of life, including falling sick”, and is only asking the court to grant him an adjournment to enable his doctors conclude on the tests and issue a report on him. He also argued that under the law, the defendant is entitled to  adjournments under such circumstance.
However, in his argument, prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir said the explanations by the defence counsel did not substitute for a sick certificate or a medical report from the hospital and urged the court to adjourn the case to the following day after which it should invoke the relevant sections of the laws to continue the case in the absence of the accused, if he fails to appear in court or produce the necessary medical documents.
Justice Okon Abang, in a bench ruling, adjourned the case at the instance of the accused to tomorrow, on the ground that the same day had already been listed for continuation of trial on the case.
Metuh had been battling a spinal cord ailment for which he had severally been admitted earlier, and for which he had been referred for a delicate surgery in a London hospital since last year as facilities for the prescribed operation are not available in the country.
Metuh had, however, not been able to go for the surgery as Justice Abang refused his application for the release of his travel documents. Medical experts fear he could lose use of his lower limbs if the corrective surgery is not urgently carried out.