Fani-Kayode withdraws ‘attempted murder’ suit against Chikwendu

Femi Fani-Kayode, former aviation minister, has withdrawn an alleged attempted murder suit he filed against Precious Chikwendu, his estranged wife.

NAN reports that John Ijagbemi, prosecution counsel, confirmed the development to Inyang Ekwo, the judge, of a federal high court in Abuja.

This was shortly after the matter was called for the defendants to take a plea.

“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 prosecution lawyer said.

Ijagbemi said 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 also said the withdrawal of the charge was provided for in Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Peter Abang, counsel to Chikwendu, did not oppose the request, prompting Ekwo to dismiss the suit.

In an amended 14-count charge marked “FHC/ABJ/CR/01/2022” as dated and filed on April 28, Chikwendu was the 2nd defendant in the now-withdrawn suit.

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 reporters after the sitting, 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He said, with the provision of ACJA 2015, a charge could be withdrawn even until a judgment against any of the defendants or accused persons standing trial before the court.

The lawyer said the ex-minister, in his withdrawal letter, said the whole family members had sat and amicably resolved the matter without any rancour or recourse to previous occurrences.

According to him, the family is “happily standing and living together in love and in harmony.”