The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has officially withdrawn criminal charges against Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, following a legal review that found no direct connection between her and the allegations in question.
In a statement released on Monday by Kamarudeen Ogundele, Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the AGF clarified that the decision to discontinue the case was made in accordance with constitutional provisions.
“The Attorney General’s decision to discontinue the criminal charge against Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe is a testament to the office’s commitment to upholding justice and fairness,” the statement read.
It further explained that the power to enter a nolle prosequi, a formal notice of discontinuation is constitutionally granted to the Attorney General when such action is necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
The charges in question were linked to a fraudulent scheme involving a bank account allegedly opened and used long before Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe assumed leadership of Fidelity Bank. “She was neither the account officer nor the Managing Director of the bank when the account used in the alleged scheme of fraud was opened,” the statement noted.
However, the Office of the AGF made it clear that the withdrawal of charges against Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe does not absolve Fidelity Bank as an institution from facing the legal consequences of the allegations.
“This decision does not exculpate Fidelity Bank from the allegations contained in the charge, which is still pending before the court,” the statement clarified, adding that the focus remains on ensuring justice is served.
“The public has been urged to allow the judicial process to take its course and to avoid speculation. The AGF reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, stressing that “all those found wanting, at any time, face the full weight of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.”
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