The Nigeria Police Force has formally withdrawn the ₦1.3 billion fraud charges filed against Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of former Minister and Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) member, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, along with four other defendants.
The charges were dropped through a Notice of Withdrawal submitted to the Federal High Court in Lagos under Section 108(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Signed by Chief Superintendent of Police Justin Enang, the document, dated February 4, 2025, did not provide reasons for the withdrawal.
The defendants had initially faced accusations from the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of conspiring to fraudulently obtain over ₦1.35 billion from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank) under the guise of importing vehicles from Dubai. They were also charged with money laundering and misrepresentation.
Their scheduled arraignment on January 26, 2025, was postponed after they failed to appear in court, with the hearing rescheduled for February 27, 2025. Following the withdrawal, legal experts anticipate that the case may be struck out today.
