Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has authorized Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to prosecute Andy Uba, a former senator for Anambra South, in connection with an alleged ₦400 million fraud.
During a court hearing on Monday, A.M. Abdullahi, the legal representative for the IGP, informed Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja that after a comprehensive review by the AGF’s office, formal authorization was given to the police to move forward with prosecution.
The case, previously overseen by Justice Inyang Ekwo, has been reassigned to Justice Umar after the National Judicial Council (NJC) recently suspended Ekwo.
The prosecution had previously revised a two-count charge, initially filed on October 10, 2024, against Uba and his co-defendants: Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu.
In the revised charge submitted on March 4, Crystal's name was removed, leaving Uba and Etu as the defendants.
The charge states that Uba, Etu, and an individual named Hajiya Fatima (who is currently at large) allegedly conspired in 2022 to fraudulently obtain N400 million from George Uboh.
The defendants allegedly asserted that they could guarantee the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone prepared to pay N400 million.
"A statement that you are aware is false, thereby constituting an offense under Section 8 and punishable according to Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006," part of the charge states.
In a petition dated April 5, 2023, Uboh provided the IGP with documentary evidence and voice recordings to substantiate his claim. Additionally, six witnesses are anticipated to testify against the defendants.
In an earlier hearing, the prosecution revealed that the AGF had asked for the case file to be reviewed after receiving a petition from the defendants.
However, a letter dated May 8 from M.B. Abubakar, the director of public prosecutions (DPP), confirmed that there is a prima facie case against Uba, Etu, and Fatima.
The DPP also mentioned that there was no evidence connecting Crystal Uba to the purported offense.
When the issue was addressed on Monday, only Etu and his lawyer, C.F. Odiniru, attended. Odiniru informed the court that Uba was overseas receiving medical treatment.
He also stated that the money related to the alleged offense had been returned.
"It is amusing that this issue has already been resolved, with the payment having been made," he remarked.
The prosecuting attorney challenged Uba's absence, contending that there was no documentation to substantiate the medical claim.
The judge postponed the case to September 24 to allow the defendants time to enter their plea.
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