The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the fraud charge filed against Andy Uba, former senator representing Anambra South.
Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, were accused of being involved in an alleged N400 million fraud.
According to the charge, Uba, Etu, and one Hajiya Fatima (now at large) allegedly conspired in 2022 to obtain N400 million from one George Uboh under false pretence.
The prosecution claimed the defendants falsely promised to secure the appointment of a managing director for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in exchange for the sum.
“A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006,” the charge reads.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had, on July 7, authorized the IGP to prosecute Uba and Etu.
However, several attempts to arraign the defendants were unsuccessful. On September 24, the court warned that an arrest warrant would be issued if Uba failed to appear at the next hearing.
At Thursday’s court session, Aminu Abdullahi, counsel to the IGP, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a notice of discontinuance following an amicable settlement among the parties.
“We filed and served a notice of discontinuance this morning,” he said.
Abdullahi added that Uba and his co-defendant had refunded the N400 million to the complainant.
C.F. Odiniru, defence counsel, did not oppose the application for the case’s withdrawal.
In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Umar granted the request, struck out the charges, and discharged the defendants.