By BANNERNEWS Reporter
The Federal Government on Tuesday withdrew the criminal charge filed against constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, over alleged forgery.
The withdrawal was announced at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
The Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed Justice Peter Kekemeke that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) had decided to take a holistic review of the matter to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Oyedepo told the court that the decision followed a reassessment of the case file and surrounding circumstances, prompting the prosecution to discontinue the proceedings for now.
Justice Kekemeke subsequently struck out the charge in line with the application by the prosecution.
Ozekhome, a prominent human rights advocate and legal scholar, had denied the allegations since the charge was instituted, maintaining that due process would vindicate him.
The development marks a significant turn in the high-profile case, which had drawn attention within legal and political circles.
Observers say the government’s decision to withdraw the charge may open the door for further administrative or legal review, depending on the outcome of the AGF’s reassessment.
