Mohammed Abacha, son of Nigeria’s former head of state, Sani Abacha, has picked the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the 2015 gubernatorial election in Kano State.
Abacha, who spoke with journalists after picking his form Wednesday, said that the incumbency factor would not work against his ambition, expressing confidence that the PDP would win the state.
“We will win Kano State. We are hopeful that we will win in Kano State,” he said.
It would be recalled that in June, this year, Mohammed Adoke, the attorney-general of the federation and minister of Justice, withdrew the N446.3billion theft charges instituted against Mohammed Abacha.
In February, the Federal Government had preferred nine counts of stealing against Abacha.
The prosecution had accused Abacha of unlawfully receiving about N446.3billion allegedly stolen from government’s coffers between 1995 and 1998.
But Adoke, acting for the Federal Government, asked Justice Mamman Kolo of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, to strike out the charges on the grounds of “fresh facts” that just emerged concerning the case.
It would also be recalled that efforts to arraign Abacha on two previous occasions were unsuccessful because of his repeated absence from court.
Daniel Enwelum, the private prosecuting counsel, informed the court of Adoke’s instruction to discontinue the case.
Applying to the court for the withdrawal of the case, Enwelum said: “I have been instructed by the AGF and Minister of Justice to withdraw the charges as presently filed before this court, because there are fresh facts and documents available to him.
“In this circumstance, he instructed me to file a notice of withdrawal without prejudice to future cause of action to be taken by his (AGF’s) office.
“In the light of that, I have filed a notice of withdrawal dated June 17, 2014. I humbly apply to withdraw the charges accordingly.”
It would also be recalled that the withdrawal of the charges by the Federal Government had sparked protests. Those who condemned the development included prominent lawyers – Femi Falana, Jiti Ogunye, Fred Agbaje and Femi Aborisade- as well as Debo Adeniran, chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders; and his Civil Society Network Against Corruption counterpart, Lanre Suraj.
