HURIWA Welcomes Withdrawal of Charges Against Ozekhome

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has hailed the discontinuation of criminal charges against senior advocate, Mike Ozekhome, describing the move as a restoration of faith in due process and the rule of law.

The charges, which were filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), were withdrawn following a review by the Attorney General of the Federation. The decision effectively brought the prosecution to an end.

Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama struck out the matter on Tuesday after the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that the Attorney General had reassessed the case and decided to discontinue the three-count charge.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, and released in Abuja, HURIWA described the withdrawal as a necessary correction. The group maintained that the allegations against Ozekhome stemmed from a civil property dispute abroad and did not constitute criminal wrongdoing under Nigerian law.

According to the association, the foreign tribunal decision referenced in initiating the prosecution did not indict Ozekhome for forgery or fraud but pointed to inconsistencies and disputed documentation involving other parties. HURIWA argued that converting what it described as a civil disagreement into a criminal prosecution was legally untenable.

The group further noted that under Nigerian law, criminal liability requires clear evidence of intent and wrongdoing, which it said was lacking in the case. It cautioned that prosecutions without firm evidentiary backing could erode public confidence in anti-corruption agencies.

While commending the Attorney General for exercising his constitutional powers to review and discontinue the charges, HURIWA urged authorities to channel resources toward cases with clear legal merit and strong evidentiary foundations.