The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, withdrew the six-count charge of fraud against former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, before Justice E. S Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The withdrawal, according to the commission, is to allow it consolidate the charges against the former governor, pending before two Federal High Courts in Abuja.
Sylva was being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly converting N2 billion worth of properties and resources belonging to Bayelsa State between 2009 and 2010 during his tenure as governor of the state.
The former governor also has similar charges, a 42-count charge, pending against him before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At Monday’s hearing, O. J Nnadi (SAN), representing the Director of Public Prosecution, Muhammed Diri, prayed the court to withdraw the charges against the accused.
Mr. Nnadi, however, did not clearly state the conditions upon which the application for withdrawal was being sought. But the counsel to the EFCC, J.A Ojogbane, told the court that there had been preliminary arguments in respect of a similar case before Justice Mohammed which, according to him, necessitated the application to withdraw the case at hand.
In his response, Mr. Sylva’s counsel, O I.Oloundare (SAN), prayed the court to dismiss the charge, since the prosecution had sought to withdraw it.
He also pleaded with the court to order the EFCC to release the international passport of his client.
After listening to the submissions of both counsels, Justice Chukwu discharged the accused and ordered the EFCC to release his passport.
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