A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday struck out the treasonable felony charges against the 2023 African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and Olawale Bakare.
Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday, struck out the criminal charges following its withdrawal by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice AGF Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN
Apart from striking out the charges, the Judge discharged Sowore from the alleged offence
The AGF invoked section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and section 107 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act ACJA 2015 to bring the charges to an end.
A letter authorizing the discontinuance of the trial dated February 15, 2024 and personally signed by the AGF was read in the open court before it was thrown out.
Marked FHC/ABJ/235/2019, the criminal charges were instituted against the publisher of the Sahara Reporters five years ago by the federal government.
The letter was addressed to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division.
The document read, “Between the Federal Republic of Nigeria – (complainant) and Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare aka Mandate (defendants).
“Notice of discontinuance. By virtue of the power conferred on me under Section 174 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, Section 107 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Aet 2015 and all other powers enabling me on that behalf, I, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN intend to discontinue Charge No; FHC/ABI/CR/235/2019.
