The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) has withdrawn the criminal charges filed against senior advocate, Mike Ozekhome, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), announced the decision on Tuesday before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama. He informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) intends to conduct a comprehensive review of the case to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Following the application by the prosecution, which was not opposed by the defence team led by Paul Erokoro (SAN), Justice Peter Kekemeke struck out the three-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and related offences.
Earlier, on January 29, Oyedepo had notified the court of the AGF’s decision to take over the prosecution from the ICPC, invoking the powers conferred on the AGF under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He explained that the takeover was carried out in collaboration with the anti-graft agency.
According to Oyedepo, the decision was driven by the need to ensure that the prosecution meets the highest standards of effectiveness, efficiency, diligence, and strict compliance with due process.
He added that the AGF was guided by public interest considerations aimed at reinforcing confidence, fairness, and competence within the criminal justice system. The move, he said, also reflects ongoing inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption.
The DPPF assured the court that the defendant’s rights would be fully protected and that no party would suffer any injustice in the process.
He subsequently urged the court to take judicial notice of the formal takeover of the case by the OAGF and sought an adjournment to enable the office retrieve the case file from the ICPC, review its contents, and determine the next line of action.
Justice Kekemeke granted the application and struck out the charges accordingly.
Comments