The judge gave the order after listening to a recorded programme aired on Channels Television involving the ongoing trial of Olisa Metuh.
Justice Okon Abang, the judge presiding over the case of alleged fraud involving a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, has demanded the prosecution of three staff of Channels Television over presumed contempt of court proceedings.
Okon Abang, also asked the office of the attorney general to institute a case of alleged prejudicial comments against a lawyer, Benchux Nwosu, representing Olisa Metuh.
The judge gave the order after listening to a recorded programme aired on Channels Television involving the ongoing trial of Olisa Metuh.
Abang also did not include a lawyer representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Johnson Ojogbane, who spoke through a telephone conversation to the station during the aired programme.
Abang held: “The court has listened attentively to the video recording of Channels Television Sunrise Daily of April, 2018.
“I noticed that Bemchux Nwosu was also on the programme. I heard what he said about the trial going on in this court. If he was in court before me. I would have known what to do. I thought he had the courage. He ought to have appeared before the court.
“It is clear that the statement of the programme was aired outside the court not within the court therefore I have no jurisdiction to determine whether the statements are prejudicial to this court.”
He, however, said that he has no jurisdiction to declare that the statement made by the three persons representing channels constituted prejudicial discussion.
He furthered ordered that the matter be referred to the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Bar Association and he directed the prosecution (EFCC) to file copies of compliance to the judgement within 30 days.
The judge said the case should be instituted by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Abang did not include a lawyer representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Johnson Ojogbane, who spoked through a telephone conversation to the station during the aired programme.
Zebranews reports that Channels TV presenter, Maupe Ogun and General Manager of Channels Television, Abuja, were summoned and appeared before the court on May 25th for granting audience to the counsel to Olisa Metuh, who allegedly made a prejudicial comment while he was being interviewed.
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