Daily Times: Court quashes charges against Anosike, others

By Innocent Anaba
LAGOS – A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has quashed the charges filed against Mr Fidelis Anosike, his brother, Noel, their company, Folio Communication Ltd, and Nicholas Okoye by the Federal Government, for allegedly stealing over N3 billion worth of property of belonging to Daily Times of Nigeria.

Trial judge in the matter, Justice Charles Archibong, in his ruling, following an ex-parte application by the Anosokes, said the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of the Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, SAN, was at liberty to reopen the action should he decides on prosecuting the applicants in relation to any offence alleged to have been committed by them.

The Federal Government had through the office of the Attorney-General of Federation, last year filed a 21-count charge of conspiracy and stealing of over N3 billion worth of property belonging to Daily Times of
Nigeria against the applicants.

The court said the Attorney General of Federation could, if he decides, arraign the applicants expeditiously without the unreasonable and unconscionable delay related to the quashed charge.

The Anosikes had in an affidavit in support of application, averred that the method in which the Attorney General of Federation proceeded against them without informing them of the details of the alleged offences violated their fundamental rights to fair trial.