The spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, has given reasons for why he wants to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Addressing journalists on Monday outside a court room in Abuja where he is being tried for alleged corruption, Mr. Metuh said his decision was based on medical advice that he should undergo a spinal cord surgery at a good hospital.
Mr. Metuh said his health deteriorated when he fell recently during a meeting of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“When I fell from the chair, I had a spinal compression and it aggravated the problem,” he said.
He said the situation with his health forced him to abandon his political career, even in the midst of major events within the PDP.
“I have abandoned my chosen career, even the last convention I did not take part, because of my health. It is a serious issue,” said Mr. Metuh.
Mr. Metuh said he was afraid of the operation, as it could lead to complications.
“To be honest, I am really scared of a spinal cord operation. It can lead to paralysis; it can cause many things,” said Mr. Metuh, who walked more carefully at the court premises.
Asked about the allegation by the prosecution that his ill-health was stage-managed, Mr. Metuh said, “I do not wish any one ill-health”.
“I had a medical report, in that report, the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) has a full indentation, so there is nothing that is being stage managed,” he said. “The reports are there as evidence before the court. When the prosecution is in that position then it can tell.”
He expressed confidence in the efforts of his counsel, Emeka Etiaba, to acquaint the court with details of his health, saying he believed that the trial judge, Okon Abang, would consider the facts and grant its request.
