Court Dismisses ₦400m Fraud Charge Against Senator Andy Uba After Settlement

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday struck out the ₦400 million fraud case filed against former Senator representing Anambra South, Andy Uba, following the withdrawal of the charge by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

Justice Mohammed Umar, who presided over the case, terminated further proceedings after the police formally applied to discontinue prosecution.

The police had accused Senator Uba and a co-defendant, Mr. Benjamin Etu, in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, of allegedly conspiring with one Hajiya Fatima (still at large) in 2022 to defraud businessman Mr. George Uboh of ₦400 million.

According to the charge, the defendants purportedly obtained the money under false pretence, claiming they could help secure the Managing Director position at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for Uboh. The police alleged that they knew the claim was false and converted the funds to personal use — offences contrary to Sections 1(2), 1(3), and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Court filings showed that Uboh had petitioned the IGP on April 5, 2023, with detailed evidence, including supporting documents and recorded audio conversations. Uba’s daughter, Chidimma, who was initially listed as a defendant, was later removed from the case.

Although the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had granted approval for prosecution on July 7, 2024, multiple attempts to arraign the defendants were unsuccessful.

At Thursday’s hearing, police counsel Aminu Abdullahi told the court that the parties had reached an amicable settlement, and that the defendants had fully refunded the ₦400 million to the complainant.

Counsel to the defendants, C.F. Odiniru, did not oppose the withdrawal, prompting Justice Umar to strike out the case.

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