The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted the Federal Government’s request to withdraw the charge of illegal possession of firearms against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo, in his ruling, held that the application filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), seeking the withdrawal of the case is in line with Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
In allowing the withdrawal of the charge, Justice Oweibo said: “The prosecution has shown that they are not law-abiding and have no respect for the court. The court cannot force them.
“What good will it be for the defendant who is in custody? Of what benefit will it be to keep the file in the court’s docket?
“I believe the proper thing is to allow them withdraw the charge. They can simply abandon it and the court will still have to strike it out for lack of diligent prosecution. The application to withdraw is hereby granted.”
Persecondnews recalls that the federal government had on Tuesday moved to withdraw the charge of illegal possession of firearms against the embattled apex bank governor at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The DPP at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, had in an oral application conveyed to Justice Nicholas Oweibo that the application was based on the outcome of further investigations.
However, Emefiele’s counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), had opposed the application, insisting that the government must rectify its breach of the court’s order granting Emefiele bail before the application could be considered.
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