The court also ordered the counsel prosecuting Metuh, Mr. Sylvanus
Tahir, to persuade the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to
explore administrative means of ensuring that the Department of State
Service produced the detained former National Security Adviser, Col.
Sambo Dasuki, in court on October 31.
Tahir, to persuade the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to
explore administrative means of ensuring that the Department of State
Service produced the detained former National Security Adviser, Col.
Sambo Dasuki, in court on October 31.
Upon applications by Metuh, the court had issued two separate
subpoenas on Jonathan and Dasuki, compelling them to appear in court on
Wednesday.
subpoenas on Jonathan and Dasuki, compelling them to appear in court on
Wednesday.
But both men were, however, absent from court on Wednesday.
Justice Abang noted in his ruling on Wednesday that without the two
summoned witnesses appearing, the court might not be able to make any
progress in the case.
summoned witnesses appearing, the court might not be able to make any
progress in the case.
He also noted that while Dasuki had been served with the court
subpoena, Jonathan had yet to be served so could not be blamed for
failure to attend court on Wednesday.
subpoena, Jonathan had yet to be served so could not be blamed for
failure to attend court on Wednesday.
But the judge noted that singular attempt by the court bailiff to
serve Jonathan personally with the witness summon at his home in Abuja,
was not sufficient.
serve Jonathan personally with the witness summon at his home in Abuja,
was not sufficient.
He therefore directed the bailiff to take further steps to ensure personal service on Jonathan within five days from Wednesday.
He said if after five days, the bailiff was unable to serve Jonathan
personally, Metuh, who was the one who applied for the subpoena, should
kick-start the process of serving the ex-President through substituted
means.
personally, Metuh, who was the one who applied for the subpoena, should
kick-start the process of serving the ex-President through substituted
means.