Abuja, Nigeria — The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has formally discontinued a fraud case filed against the Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, citing insufficient evidence linking her to the alleged crime.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Mr. Kamarudeen Ogundele, the AGF explained that a thorough review of the case revealed that Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe was not in charge of the bank at the time the N19 billion fraud allegedly occurred.
“She was neither the account officer nor the Managing Director when the account involved in the alleged fraud was opened,” the statement clarified.
The decision, taken under the AGF’s constitutional authority to enter a nolle prosequi (a formal withdrawal of prosecution), was framed as an effort to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
“This action reflects the Attorney-General’s unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and the rule of law,” the statement read. “It is not an exoneration of Fidelity Bank from the pending allegations before the court, but a necessary step to ensure only those directly implicated face prosecution.”
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe had been named as the 3rd defendant in an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court in Lagos (Case No: FHC/L/138C/2025), which revolves around an alleged N19 billion fraud scheme.
The AGF urged the public to allow due process to unfold without resorting to speculation or premature judgments, assuring that all culpable parties would be held accountable under the law.
“The Attorney-General will ensure that those found wanting face the full weight of the law, serving as a deterrent to others,” the statement concluded.
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