The federal government has withdrawn the corruption charges brought against the chief registrar of the Supreme Court, Ahmed Saleh, and two others.
Saleh was charged alongside Muhammed Sheriff, the director of finance and Rilwanu Lawal, the chief accountant of the apex court.
Previous attempts to arraign the three defendants in the past were stalled.
At the resumed session Tuesday, February 7, 2017 the prosecution counsel, Mrs. Hajara Yusuf, informed the court that she was directed by the attorney general of the federation to withdraw the case.
Yusuf, however, did not advance reasons for the withdrawal.
“My lord, I have been mandate from the office of the attorney general of the federation to withdraw the charges against the three persons,’’ she said.
Following the oral application, Justice Abba-Bello Muhammed, withdrew all the charges against the defendants.
The defendants were initially charged with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and accepting gratification as public officers.
The defendants were accused of misappropriating N2.2 billion belonging to the apex court between 2009 and 2016.
The offence was in contravention of Section 10(a) (i) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.
The defendants were also charged with contravening the provision of Section 96 of the Penal Code.
They were also alleged to have obtained gratification totalling N80 million contrary to the ICPC Act.
The defendants were further alleged to have obtained N2.4 million gratification from Welcon Nigeria Ltd and N16 million from Dean Musa Nig. Ltd.
The defendants were alleged to have collected N19 million from Ababia Ventures Ltd as gratification. (NAN)
