A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday struck out charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition preferred against suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo struck out the charges for lack of diligent prosecution, following an application by the federal government to withdraw the charges.

The oral application was made on Tuesday by Mr Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Abubakar had said that the application was informed by emerging facts that needed further investigations.

He had prayed the court to grant the application.

Emefiele’s counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), had, however, opposed the application.

Daudu argued that the government was in disobedience of the court’s order granting Emefiele’s bail and, therefore, should not have its application entertained by the court.

“We have an application that the government has flouted the court’s order, which says the respondent/ defendant should be remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Service,” he submitted.

He added that the application for withdrawal of charges must be in writing.

Ruling on the application on Thursday, Oweibo held that Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act empowered the DPP to withdraw the two-count charge.

He also held there was no requirement for the application to be in writing.

“The prosecution has shown signs that they are not law-abiding and have no respect for the court.

“Of what benefit will it be to keep the file in the court’s docket? I believe the proper thing is to allow them to withdraw the charge.

“The application to withdraw is hereby granted,” Oweibo ruled.

BRANDPOWER reports that the court, on July 25, admitted Emefiele to N20 million bail after he was arraigned on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Alleged N6.9bn procurement fraud: Court fixes Aug 23 for arraignment of Emefiele

Meanwhile, an Abuja High Court on Thursday fixed Aug. 23 for the arraignment of suspended Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, for alleged procurement fraud.

Emefiele was to be arraigned alongside Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited, on 20 charges bordering on procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.

The Federal Government alleged that the suspects procured an array of about 98 luxury vehicles and armoured buses, with an estimated total value of ₦6.9 billion.

Justice Muazu Hamza, fixed the date after the counsel for Yaro told the court that his client was ill,

The prosecution did not oppose the prayer for adjournment.