Posted by By GODWIN TSA and JOHN PAUL SARKI, Abuja on
Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, can now heave a sigh of relief as the Federal Government on Thursday withdrew the criminal charges it instituted against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, can now heave a sigh of relief as the Federal Government on Thursday withdrew the criminal charges it instituted against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Accordingly, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Constance Mommoh, struck out the charges against the former governor.
The action of Federal Government came through the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Salihu Aliyu, who moved an oral application for the withdrawal.
Alamieyeseigha was arraigned before the tribunal on charges bordering on false declaration of assets and abuse of office.
At the resumption of his trial on Thursday, the DPP reminded the tribunal of the promise made by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) that he was going to make the position of government on the trial known to the tribunal on Thursday.
The justice minister had pleaded with the tribunal to adjourn proceedings till Thursday to enable him study the case file of the offences for which the former governor was convicted in a Federal High Court in Lagos and make his position known to the tribunal.
The former Bayelsa State chief executive was convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos Division, over allegation of money laundering after a plea-bargain was entered between him and the EFCC.
The DPP told the tribunal, 'I have written to the EFCC to supply the office of the AGF with a copy of the charges for which the accused was convicted in Lagos.
'The letter was acknowledged but up till today there has been no response. Since there has been no reply to the letter, the accused may suffer double jeopardy if the tribunal tries him again.
'I urge the court to allow the withdrawal of the charges against the accused for now."
Alamieyeseigha's counsel, Chief Thompson Okpoko (SAN) who did not oppose the withdrawal, however, prayed the tribunal to strike out the charges against his client if the government was no longer interested in prosecuting it.
Ruling on the application, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Momoh, accordingly struck-out the application.
Justice Momoh said: 'The application for the withdrawal for the charges against the accused is allowed for the reasons given by the DPP."