KEY POINTS

• The Federal Government withdrew the forgery charge against Mike Ozekhome during a hearing at the FCT High Court.
• Prosecutors cited Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and said the withdrawal was for further instruction.
• With no objection from the defence, the judge granted the request and dismissed the case.

The Federal Government has formally withdrawn the forgery charge filed against constitutional lawyer Mike Ozekhome, bringing an abrupt halt to a legal case that had drawn public attention within Nigeria’s legal and political circles.

The charge was originally instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC.

It stemmed from issues connected to a judgment delivered by a London court concerning a property linked to former Federal Capital Territory minister, Jeremiah Useni.

Last month, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation assumed control of the case from the ICPC, stating it intended to ensure effective prosecution.

However, during proceedings on Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Justice Peter Kekemeke of the FCT High Court that the prosecution would withdraw the case file.

Oyedepo explained that the move was made under Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which allows prosecutors to discontinue proceedings under certain conditions.

He said the withdrawal was for “further instruction,” suggesting the possibility of review or reconsideration.

Defence Raises No Objection

The defence team, led by Senior Advocate Paul Erokoro, told the court they had no objection to the request. With no resistance from the defence, the judge granted the application in a brief ruling.

Justice Kekemeke held that since the application was unopposed, it was valid. He consequently struck out the charge and dismissed the case.

The withdrawal does not necessarily amount to an acquittal on the merits of the case; rather, it reflects the prosecution’s decision to discontinue proceedings at this stage. Legal analysts note that such withdrawals can occur for several reasons, including insufficient evidence, procedural concerns, or the need for further internal review.

The development is likely to spark conversations within Nigeria’s legal community about prosecutorial discretion, the independence of anti-corruption agencies, and the coordination between investigative bodies and the Attorney-General’s office.