The Federal Government has explained why it withdrew criminal charges against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc.
The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to reactions trailing the discontinuation of the criminal charge against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.
Onyeali-Ikpe was initially listed as the third defendant in eight counts before the Federal High Court in Lagos marked: FHC/L/138C/2025, which bordered on alleged N19bn fraud.
The case was initially instituted by the AGF against the bank MD, a lawyer, Victor Ukutt; another defendant, Whoba Ugwunna Ogo (said to be at large); and Fidelity Bank Plc, over the alleged unlawful conversion of funds belonging to Woobs Resources Limited.
However, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, explained that the decision to discontinue the criminal charge against Onyeali-Ikpe was a testament to his office’s commitment to upholding justice and fairness.
In a statement by the media aide to the AGF, Kamarudeen Ogundele, on Monday, Fagbemi said as the chief law officer of the federation, he had the constitutional power to enter a nolle prosequi, discontinuing a prosecution where it was deemed necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
The statement read in part, “This decision followed a careful review of the case, which did not connect Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe to the charge as she was neither the account officer nor the managing director of Fidelity Bank when the account used in the alleged scheme of fraud was opened.
“The attorney-general’s decision is guided by the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law, and we have every confidence that this decision is in the best interest of justice and the public.
“This decision does not to exculpate Fidelity Bank from the allegations contained in the charge, which is still pending before the court, but rather a demonstration of the attorney-general’s duty to ensure that justice is served.”
The office urged members of the public to allow the legal process to run its course and to refrain from speculation or jumping into conclusions.
“The AGF will ensure that the best interest of justice is served at all times and that all those found wanting, at any time, face the full weight of law to serve as a deterrent to others,” the statement added.
