Crime Watch

Emefiele Collapses As Court Struck Out Illegal Firearm Possession Charge Against Him

The Illegal possession of firearms charge against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been withdrawn…

Published

3 years ago

August 17, 2023

VerseNews

Godwin Emefiele in Court

The Illegal possession of firearms charge against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been withdrawn after the Federal High Court in Lagos approved the application submitted by counsel to the suspended apex bank chief.

VerseNews reports that this was approved at the resumed hearing of the case between Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Nicholas Oweibo, the application filed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), seeking the withdrawal of the case is found in Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) which empowers him to withdraw the charge and there was no requirement for the application to be in writing.

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The judged concluded saying the charge by the FG will no good in the defence if allowed.

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.”