The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Dr Uche Ogah, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Abia State.
Ogah was allegedly quizzed outside a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos by EFCC operatives who whisked him to their Ikoyi office for interrogation.
The police had filed a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and fraud against Ogah, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and two of its female employees – Tammy Adoki and Augustina Ezenwenkwe.
Also charged were Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd, Deji Somoye, Felix Eribo, Onu Ogbonnaya, and Sheidu Olayinka.
During hearing on Monday,, prosecuting counsel Mr Henry Obiazi, informed Magistrate Kikelomo Ayeye, that he was under instruction to withdraw the charge against the accused.
“I have been directed by the Inspector-General of Police to withdraw the charge,” he said.
In her ruling, the magistrate said: “The case is hereby struck out.”
As soon as Ogah stepped out of the courtroom to an adjourning street where his vehicle was parked and got in, EFCC operatives surrounded him.
They blocked the exit gate, and insisted he must follow them to the commission’s office in Ikoyi and an EFCC operative rode with Ogah in his vehicle.
In the charge, which was withdrawn, the police alleged that the accused and others at large sometime in March 2011 at Ikeja, in Lagos, did conspire to commit forgery.
It was further alleged that the accused did forge the signature of Bridget Adeosun and a document known as MoU between Mut-Hass Petroleum Ltd and Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd, with an intent that it might be acted upon as genuine.
The bank was also said to have failed to use all reasonable means to prevent the commission or the completion of the crime.
The offence was said to have contravened the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
