- As Inspector General of Police withdraws the charge
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday struck out a ¦ 400 million fraud case filed against the former Senator representing Anambra South, Andy Uba.
Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, terminated further proceedings after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, formally withdrew the charge.The police had, in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, accused Senator Uba and a co-defendant, Mr. Benjamin Etu, of conspiring with one Hajiya Fatima (now at large) in 2022 to defraud businessman Mr. George Uboh of N400 million.
According to the charge, the defendants allegedly obtained the money under false pretence, claiming they could secure the position of Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for a willing payer. The police said they knew the claim was false and converted the money to personal use — offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 1(2), 1(3), and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Documents before the court revealed that Uboh had petitioned the IGP on April 5, 2023, detailing how he was allegedly defrauded, with supporting documents and voice recordings attached. Uba’s daughter, Chidimma, who was initially joined in the case, was later removed from the charge.
Although the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had granted approval for prosecution on July 7, 2024, several attempts to arraign the defendants failed.
At Thursday’s hearing, police counsel Aminu Abdullahi informed the court that the charge was being withdrawn following an amicable settlement, adding that the defendants had refunded the N400 million to the complainant.
Defence counsel, C.F. Odiniru, did not oppose the application, prompting Justice Umar to strike out the case.