The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government against Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is accused of operating a fake government agency, paving the way for his fresh arraignment before another court.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar terminated the proceedings on Monday following an application by the Federal Government, which said the case would be transferred to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for a fresh arraignment.
At the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had reviewed the case file and the charge originally filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
Oyedepo said the review identified legal issues with the case, including concerns over the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear allegations relating to documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi while operating the purported agency.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences involving the forged documents could be prosecuted before the High Court of the FCT.
He informed the court that a fresh charge had already been filed before the FCT High Court and that the government intended to arraign Adeyemi there without delay.
Oyedepo consequently urged Justice Umar to strike out the existing charge in accordance with the law.
Counsel to Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application.
The judge subsequently granted the request and struck out the charge, bringing the proceedings before the Federal High Court to an end.
Adeyemi, 38, had been standing trial alongside two other defendants, identified as Femi, whose surname was not provided, and Anu, also without a known surname. Both individuals were said to be at large.
The defendants faced allegations bordering on conspiracy and forgery in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025.
The striking out of the charge does not amount to an acquittal on the allegations against Adeyemi, as the Federal Government has indicated its intention to pursue the case through a fresh arraignment before the FCT High Court.