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The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi after the Attorney-General reviewed the case and identified issues requiring a fresh prosecution.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out an eight-count forgery charge against Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, following the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw the existing case and pursue fresh proceedings.
Justice Mohammed Umar struck out the charge on Monday after the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had reviewed the case file.
Oyedepo said the review identified issues that necessitated the withdrawal of the charge. He added that the government intended to transfer the matter to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for Adeyemi’s fresh arraignment.
Adeyemi’s counsel, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application, allowing the court to strike out the charge.
AGF Review Prompts Withdrawal
The prosecution told the court that the AGF had taken over the case from the police at the previous adjourned sitting before reviewing the evidence and existing charges.
According to Oyedepo, the review revealed loopholes that informed the government’s decision to discontinue the proceedings in their current form.
The prosecution also argued that the alleged forged documents linked to Adeyemi’s activities could be prosecuted before the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.
The government’s move is intended to allow the case to proceed before what the prosecution considers the appropriate court.
However, the striking out of the charge does not establish Adeyemi’s guilt or innocence. The allegations remain subject to any fresh proceedings the government may initiate.
Adeyemi had pleaded not guilty to allegations bordering on forgery, fraud and impersonation.
Adeyemi Had Been Remanded In Kuje
Adeyemi had remained in detention since July 14, when authorities arrested him pursuant to a bench warrant issued by the court.
Following his arraignment and not-guilty plea, the court ordered his remand at Kuje Prison and adjourned the matter for further proceedings.
He subsequently applied for bail, citing health concerns and requesting access to medical attention from his doctors.
According to the account presented in court, Adeyemi told the court that he was suffering from a contagious ailment requiring urgent medical care.
The prosecution opposed his bail application, arguing that government medical facilities could address his health needs while he remained in custody.
The planned hearing of the bail application was overtaken by the government’s decision to withdraw the existing charge.
Gbajabiamila Listed Among Proposed Witnesses
The prosecution had listed several individuals as potential witnesses before withdrawing the charge.
They included Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, alongside Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede and Ituah Sylvester.
Other proposed witnesses included Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu, civil servants in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Their inclusion on the proposed witness list does not, by itself, establish any wrongdoing by them.
The Federal Government has indicated that it intends to pursue fresh proceedings against Adeyemi before the FCT High Court.
The next steps will depend on whether the prosecution files a fresh charge and secures the defendant’s arraignment before that court.
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