The Katsina State government has withdrawn the case filed against a former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shema.
ASHENEWS reports that the state government had earlier accused the ex-governor of misappropriation of N11 billion meant for the state association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
In 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 24-count charge against Shena and two other members of his cabinet, namely Lawal Safana, Ibrahim Dankaba, and Sani Makana.
The Director, of public prosecution of Katsina State Ministry of Justice, Abdulrahman Umar, while announcing the development on Monday in Katsina said that the Attorney general has the right to take up any case against anyone or choose to discontinue, as long as judgment hasn’t been delivered.
“The state government filed a nolle prosecute. This is the power of a state attorney-general under Section 211 of the 1999 constitution as (amended), to either institute an action on a criminal case against any person before any court of law.
“The attorney-general can take over any criminal proceedings against any person, as well as power to discontinue with any case at any stage of the proceeding before judgment is entered.
“The attorney-general exercised that power and we went with it and the court gladly accepted that position of the attorney general to discontinue with the case.
“To that effect, the former governor and Lawal Dankaba were discharged from all charges against them.
“That is the position of the state government at the moment. But the EFCC’s case is still ongoing” Umar said.
