BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

ABUJA — Barely 72-hours after the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court released two Leadership Newspaper reporters, Tony Amokeodo and Chibuzor Ukaibe, accused of forging a document purported to have emanated from the Presidency, the Federal Government, yesterday, withdrew the charge it entered against them.

Justice Ademola Adeniyi had, Tuesday, released the accused persons on bail shortly after they pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge that was preferred against them, though he compelled them to deposit N500, 000 each as well as provide two sureties.

Though the court fixed May 16 to begin hearing on the substantive case, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, yesterday, applied to terminate the case.

The application came even as counsel to the Leadership Group limited, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, filed a preliminary objection, contending that the court was bereft of the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter as it was constituted, arguing that the charge only bordered on forgery and not to any loss of revenue by the Federal Government, saying such matter ought not to have been filed before the federal high court.