Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has approved the Federal Government’s request to withdraw the charge of “illegal possession of firearm and possession” against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
This legal manoeuvre has raised eyebrows and left many speculating about the underlying motives behind the government’s decision. It is a surprising turn of events in the arrest and illegal detention of the suspended CBN governor.
The judge’s ruling was anchored on Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which empowers the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to withdraw charges without a formal written application.
The decision has led to questions about the prosecution’s intentions and its commitment to the rule of law. Justice Oweibo questioned the benefits of maintaining the charges against Emefiele, especially considering the defendant’s custody and the potential absence of diligent prosecution.
“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 to 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.” The judge concluded.
