NDDC deal : IGP drops fraud case against Andy Uba as ex-Anambra senator refunds N400m

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G) has withdrawn the fraud case filed against former lawmaker, Senator Andy Uba, and his associate, Benjamin Etu, following the refund of N400 million to the complainant, Dr. George Uboh.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the I-G’s counsel, Aminu Abdullahi, informed the court that the disputed sum had been fully repaid by the defendants.

Abdullahi told the court that the prosecution had filed a notice of discontinuance in line with Section 108(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 after the parties reached an amicable settlement.

“We filed and served a notice of discontinuance this morning,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the defendants and the complainant had “amicably resolved and settled all disputes, claims and liabilities arising from or connected with the transaction.”

According to him, Uba, who previously represented Anambra South Senatorial District, and Etu paid the ₦400 million involved in the case to Dr. Uboh.

Defence counsel, C. F. Odiniru, did not oppose the withdrawal request but told the court that an affidavit of facts had been filed, detailing how the parties reached the settlement.

Justice Umar noted that the case had been overtaken by events. Odiniru, however, urged the court to dismiss the charge entirely—rather than merely striking it out—since the dispute had been resolved and there was no lingering disagreement.

He argued that his prayer aligned with Section 108(3) of the ACJA, 2015.

In an affidavit of facts dated November 5, Etu affirmed that the complainant had acknowledged receipt of the ₦400 million in full, as evidenced by a duly executed settlement agreement attached as Exhibit A. Etu stated that he deposed to the affidavit with Senator Uba’s consent and authority.

In his ruling, Justice Umar granted the prosecution’s notice of discontinuance, struck out the charges, and discharged both defendants.

The development marked the end of a case in which the court had, on September 24, threatened to issue a bench warrant for Uba’s arrest over his repeated absence. The judge had warned that Uba’s failure to appear was stalling proceedings, despite the case being filed in 2024.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had earlier granted approval to the police to prosecute Uba and Etu. The initial two-count charge, later amended in March 2025, accused the defendants of obtaining money under false pretence in connection with an alleged promise to secure a top appointment in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The prosecution had alleged that Uba, Etu, and one Hajiya Fatima (now at large) conspired in 2022 to defraud Uboh of ₦400 million by claiming they could facilitate the NDDC Managing Director’s appointment.

“A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006,” the charge read in part.

Dr. Uboh had earlier petitioned the police in a letter dated April 5, 2023, supported by documentary evidence and voice recordings.

The police had planned to call six witnesses before the case was resolved and subsequently withdrawn.