Attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice Lateef Fagbemi, has defended the withdrawal of criminal charges against the managing director and chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe.
In a statement released on Monday by the special adviser to the president on communication and publicity, office of the AGF and minister of justice, Kamarudeen Ogundele, Fagbemi said the decision followed a careful review of the case.
“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,” the statement began.
It explained that Onyeali-Ikpe was not in charge of the bank account involved in the alleged fraud at the time of the incident.
“The 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 the Fidelity Bank when the account used in the alleged scheme of fraud was opened,” the statement noted.
Fagbemi maintained that the move was consistent with his constitutional responsibility to ensure justice.
“As the chief law officer of the federation, the AGF has the constitutional power to enter a nolle prosequi, discontinuing a prosecution where it is deemed necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice,” the statement added.
The AGF stressed that while the charges against the Fidelity Bank boss have been dropped, the bank itself still has questions to answer in court.
“This decision does not 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,” it said.
It urged the public not to speculate or jump to conclusions, assuring that justice would be pursued without bias.
“We urge the public to allow the legal process to run its course and to refrain from speculation or jumping to 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 concluded.
