The Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed the charges of illegal possession of firearms against Godwin Emefiele, suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, by the Federal Government.
The order was made by Justice Nicholas Oweibo on Thursday, following an application by Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions, to withdraw the two-count charge.
Abubakar relied on Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in making this application.
Emefiele’s lawyer, J.B. Daodu, argued that the charges couldn’t be withdrawn unless the government first complies with the court’s previous order to grant Emefiele N20 million bail. Justice Oweibo ruled in favor of the Federal Government’s application.
While condemning the Government’s conduct, the judge said: “The conduct of the prosecution has shown that it doesn’t respect the rule of law.
“Of what benefit will it be to keep the file in the court’s docket when the prosecution has shown disrespect to the court?
“Accordingly this charge is hereby struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.”
