~ The charge has been settled- lawyer
By Our Correspondent
In a dramatic twist that has sent shockwaves through political circles, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government has given the green light for the prosecution of former Senator Andy Uba over an alleged ₦400 million fraud.
The approval came from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and was revealed during a court sitting on Monday, July 8.
Counsel to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), A.M. Abdullahi, told Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court that the AGF had reviewed the case and directed the police to proceed.
Uba, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, is being charged alongside one Benjamin Etu for allegedly duping businessman George Uboh under false pretences.
According to court filings, the duo — along with one Hajiya Fatima (now at large) — reportedly conspired in 2022 to collect ₦400 million from Uboh with a bogus promise of securing the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“They made a representation which they knew to be false,” the charge sheet read.
“Thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Originally filed on October 10, 2024, the charge was amended on March 4, 2025, with the name of Crystal Uba dropped from the list of defendants, following findings that she had no link to the offence.
Uboh reportedly submitted a petition on April 5, 2023, to the IGP, complete with voice recordings and documents allegedly proving the fraud. Six witnesses are lined up to testify in court.
Despite claims by Uba’s camp that the money has been refunded, the AGF’s office insists there is a prima facie case.
A letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), M.B. Abubakar, dated May 8, confirmed this position, emphasizing that the case should proceed.
When the matter resumed in court, only Etu and his lawyer, C.F. Odiniru, were present.
Odiniru told the court that Uba is currently abroad for medical treatment and insisted the matter had been “settled.”
“What is funny is that the subject matter of this charge has been settled. The money has been paid,” he said, drawing murmurs from the courtroom.
But the prosecution is not backing down. Justice Mohammed Umar has adjourned the case to September 24, 2025, setting the stage for what could be one of the most politically charged trials of the year.
