The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by the former NNPC Group Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu on the grounds of violation of his human rights.
Mr. Adeola Adedipe, counsel to Mr. Yakubu, however applied for a withdrawal of the suit. Adedipe told the court that his application for withdrawal was due to the fact that his client has been formally charged to court and granted bail.
“We consider it necessary to discontinue with this suit, we have served the notice on all the parties and they are not opposed to our application.”
Justice Ahmed Mohammed struck out the suit as none of the respondents in the suit opposed the application. Counsel to the the EFCC, Mrs. Rita Ogar, and the EFCC, Mr. T.A. Agbe, who are first and second respondents in the suit, did not oppose the application.
Mr. Yakubu was detained by the EFCC over allegations bordering on fraud and money laundering to the tune of $9.7 million. He had filed a suit against the EFCC on the grounds of violation of his fundamental human rights as a result of being detained without charging him to the court.
The EFCC, however, charged him to court on a six-count charge on non-disclosure of assets, fraud, and money laundering just before the suit on Mr. Yakubu’s human rights violation could be determined.
He was consequently granted a bail on N300 million with the case on fraud and money laundering charges adjourned until May 9 when trial would begin.