AGF Withdraws Criminal Charges Against Mike Ozekhome
The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation has discontinued the criminal proceedings instituted against Mike Ozekhome (SAN) by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). At the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama on Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation intends to comprehensively review the matter before determining the appropriate course of action. After the application was moved — and with no objection from the defence team led by Paul Erokoro (SAN) — Justice Peter Kekemeke struck out the three-count charge bordering on alleged forgery and other offences. Earlier, on January 29, Oyedepo had notified the court that the AGF had decided to assume control of the prosecution from the ICPC. He explained that the decision was made pursuant to the constitutional powers vested in the AGF under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, in collaboration with the anti-graft agency. According to him, the move was aimed at ensuring the case is handled with the highest level of professionalism, diligence, efficiency, and strict adherence to due process. He added that public interest considerations — including the need to promote fairness, competence, and public confidence in the justice system — also guided the decision. Oyedepo further stated that inter-agency cooperation in the anti-corruption fight was taken into account in the takeover. He assured the court that the defendant’s rights would be fully safeguarded and that no party would be prejudiced. He subsequently urged the court to formally recognise the AGF’s takeover of the matter and requested an adjournment to allow his office retrieve the case file from the ICPC, conduct a thorough review, and determine the next line of action.
