The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a ₦400 million fraud charge against former Anambra South Senator, Andy Uba.
Justice Mohammed Umar, who presided over the matter, ended further proceedings on Thursday after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, formally withdrew the case.
The police had, in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, accused Uba and a co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, of conspiring with one Hajiya Fatima (still at large) in 2022 to defraud businessman George Uboh of ₦400 million.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly obtained the funds under false pretence, claiming they could facilitate the appointment of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission for a willing payer.
The police alleged the claim was false and that the money was diverted for personal use, offences said to contravene and be punishable under Sections 1(2), 1(3), and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Court documents indicated that Uboh had, on April 5, 2023, petitioned the IGP, detailing how he was allegedly swindled, with evidence including documents and voice recordings attached. Uba’s daughter, Chidimma, who was initially named in the charge, was later removed.
Although the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had granted approval for prosecution on July 7, 2024, multiple efforts to arraign the accused persons were unsuccessful.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, police counsel Aminu Abdullahi told the court that the case was being withdrawn following an amicable settlement, noting that the defendants had refunded the ₦400 million to the complainant.
Defence counsel, C.F. Odiniru, did not object to the withdrawal, leading Justice Umar to formally strike out the case.
