FG Withdraws Charges Against Abacha The Federal Government yesterday withdrew the criminal charge its filed against Mohammed Abacha, son of the late General Sani Abacha. The Government announced its decision to withdraw the charge during yesterdays proceedings before Justice Mamman Kolo of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Wuse Zone 2 Abuja. The Fed Govt had through a private lawyer, Daniel Enwelum, filed the charge of nine counts against Mohammed, accusing him of “dishonestly receiving stolen property” and “voluntarily assisted in concealing money, belonging to the state and estimated at N446.3billion. Efforts by the government to arraign Abacha on the charge was unsuccessful as he failed to attend court on two occasions when the case was earlier mentioned. Yesterday, Abacha was in court. He mounted the dock when the case was called, shortly after which Enwelum informed the court about the directive he got from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF),Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN to the effect that he should discontinue the case. I have been instructed by the AGF and Minister of Justice to withdraw the charges as presently filed before this court, because there are fresh facts and documents available to him. In this circumstance, he instructed me to file a notice of withdrawal without prejudice to future cause of action to be taken by his (AGFs) office. In the light of that, I have filed a notice of withdrawal dated June 17, 2014. I humbly apply to withdraw the charges accordingly, Enwelum said. Defence lawyer, Abdullahi Haruna did not object to the decision by the state to withdraw the charge. Ruling, Justice Kolo granted the application to withdraw, struck out the charge and discharge the accused person.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 15:51:29 +0000
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