The Federal High Court in Lagos has allowed the Federal Government to withdraw the charge of illegal possession of firearm against suspender ex-Governot of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele had been accused by the CBN Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of possession of a firearm without authorization.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo during his ruling, wondered why the DPP needed to seek the withdrawal on paper since he could withdraw the case through Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
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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.”
