Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, has offered an explanation for the federal government’s decision to withdraw a criminal case involving Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc.
Onyeali-Ikpe had been listed as the third defendant in a case marked FHC/L/138C/2025, which was instituted by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
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Filed in February, the charge comprised eight counts and also named Victor Ukutt, Fidelity Bank Plc, and Whoba Ugwunna Ogo as the first, second, and fourth defendants, respectively.
The matter, being heard by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa at the Federal High Court in Lagos, revolves around allegations of conspiracy and the unlawful diversion of N19 billion reportedly belonging to Woobs Resources Limited.
Onyeali-Ikpe and the other defendants were accused of participating in the fraudulent conversion of the funds.
However, in a statement released on Monday through his media aide, Kamarudeen Ogundele, the AGF clarified that a detailed evaluation of the case found no direct link between Onyeali-Ikpe and the alleged crime.
“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,” the statement reads.
“As the chief law officer of the federation, the AGF has the constitutional power to enter a nolle prosequi, discontinuing a prosecution where it is deemed necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
“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 the Fidelity Bank when the account used in the alleged scheme of fraud was opened.
“The attorney-general’s decision is guided by the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law, and we have every confidence that this decision is in the best interest of justice and the public.
“This decision does not exculpate Fidelity Bank from the allegations contained in the charge, which is still pending before the court, but rather is a demonstration of the attorney-general’s duty to ensure that justice is served.
“We urge the public to allow the legal process to run its course and to refrain from speculation or jumping to conclusions.”
While the charges against the Fidelity Bank CEO have been formally dropped, proceedings against the remaining defendants, including the bank itself, are ongoing. The AGF emphasized that the dismissal of the case against Onyeali-Ikpe was made solely in the interest of justice and does not equate to a general absolution of the institution from scrutiny.
 and Minister of Justice, has offered an explanation for the federal government's decision to withdraw a criminal case involving Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc.){kind=link}