In a move to dispel confusion and speculation, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Monday, provided clarification regarding the discontinuation of a criminal fraud charge previously filed against Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc.
The clarification came through a statement from Kamarudeen Ogundele, the Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity within the Office of the AGF & Minister of Justice, released on June 9, 2025.
This statement was issued following widespread reactions to reports suggesting that the Attorney General and the Nigerian government had dropped Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s name from a pending criminal case concerning an alleged multi-billion-naira fraud scheme.
Background
Initially, the AGF had brought a case before the Federal High Court in Lagos, listing lawyer Victor Ukutt, Whoba Ugwunna Ogo (who is reportedly at large), Fidelity Bank Plc, and Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe as defendants, alleging the unlawful diversion of funds belonging to Woobs Resources Limited, amounting to approximately N19 billion.
According to reports, the AGF’s office had amended the charge on May 5, 2025, replacing Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s name with that of Safiya Whoba in the 10-count indictment.
AGF’s Clarification
Addressing the development, the AGF’s spokesperson stated, “The Attorney General’s decision to discontinue the criminal charge against Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, is a testament to the office’s commitment to upholding justice and fairness.”
He further explained that the Attorney General, as the federation’s chief law officer, possesses constitutional powers to discontinue a prosecution if it is considered necessary to avoid a miscarriage of justice.
According to him, “This decision followed a careful review of the case, which did not connect Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe to the charge, as she was neither the account officer nor the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank when the account used in the alleged scheme of fraud was opened.”
The spokesperson emphasized that the AGF’s decision was guided by principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law, asserting that the move served the best interests of justice and the public.
The statement noted that removing Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe from the case does not absolve Fidelity Bank of the allegations, which remain before the court, but reflects the Attorney General’s responsibility to ensure justice is properly served.
“We urge the public to allow the legal process to run its course and to refrain from speculation or jumping to conclusions,” the statement partly reads.
The AGF concluded by reassuring the public of his office’s commitment to ensuring justice prevails, stating that any individuals found culpable will be held accountable under the law, to serve as a deterrent to others.
