The Federal Government has withdrawn the forgery charge filed against constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), effectively bringing an end-for now-to the criminal proceedings instituted against the senior advocate.
Ozekhome had been arraigned before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on a three-count charge bordering on alleged property forgery. The case was initiated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
At the previous hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the Attorney-General had taken over the matter from the ICPC and sought an adjournment to allow for a review of the case file.
When proceedings resumed, Oyedepo told the court that he had been directed by the AGF to withdraw the charge pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. He explained that the withdrawal was part of a broader effort by the Attorney-General to review and strengthen the handling of cases across relevant agencies.
Counsel to the defendant, Paul Erokoro (SAN), who led a team of about 17 Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other lawyers, did not oppose the application for withdrawal.
Following the application, Justice Kekemeke struck out the charge.