Former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has withdrawn the attempted murder lawsuit he filed against his estranged wife, Ms Precious Chikwendu.
FFK’s counsel, John Ijagbemi made the withdrawal on Thursday, 6 October, shortly after Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja called for the defendants to take a plea.
Ijagbemi told the court that the FCT Commissioner of Police was in receipt of a letter from the nominal complainant (Fani-Kayode) about his intention to withdraw the case.
He said: “The matter was slated for re-arraignment of the defendants today. However, we want to plead to your lordship for the withdrawal of the case.”
The court dismissed the suit following its withdrawal by the former minister.
The proceeding was slated for arraignment but prosecution counsel, Mr. John Ijagbemi, told Justice Ekwo, that he had the instructions of the inspector-general of police to discontinue with the matter.
Ms Chikwendu’s lawyer, Peter Abang, did not oppose the request. Justice Ekwo dismissed the suit after the submission.
In an amended 14-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/01/2022 dated and filed on 28 April, Chikwendu was the 2nd defendant in the matter.
Other defendants in the trial include Emmanuel Anakan, Prisca Chikwendu and Osakwe Azubuike as 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively, while others are said to be at large.
Speaking to newsmen after the proceedings, Abang described the withdrawal of the suit as: “a welcomed development.”
On his part, Ijagbemi said: “the complainant, via the prosecution, has the unfettered power to withdraw a charge before the court.”
He said with the provision of ACJA, 2015, a charge could be withdrawn even until judgment against any of the defendants or accused persons standing trial before the court.