A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has withdrawn a three-count criminal charge filed against Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Zambia, His Excellency Ambassador Nwannebuike Ominyi and a co-defendant, Iduma Christian Mayor in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CR/654/2025.

The case, which had been reported in some online newspapers and blogs bothers on criminal allegations with respect to sections of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015/as amended (including references to the 2024 amendment).

Details of a record of proceedings obtained by our reporter in Abuja indicated that this development followed an application by the Directorate of Legal Services, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, F. G. Gabriel, for and on behalf of the office of the Attorney General and the Federal Ministry of Justice of the federation, dated March 24th 2026 and officially released on June 23rd, 2026.

It would be recalled that the charges preferred against the former envoy had been brought by one Engr. Emmanuel Ogai, who is described as a Nigerian industrialist, on 22nd of March, 2025 and was published in some online and social media platforms across the nation.

Ogai had alleged that Ominyi and his co defendants conspired and published false and damaging statements intended to harm his (Ogai’s) reputation, cause hatred, enmity, intimidation, anxiety, harassment, and bullying.

Withdrawal of case
However, in a withdrawal notice, titled: Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance of the Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/654/2025 Between Federal Republic of Nigeria Verse Amb. Nwannebuike Ominyi and one another, brought pursuant to Section 108 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, the Prosecutor, F.G. Gabriel stated in his application before the Court for the case to be discontinued for purpose of further investigation.

“Take Notice that the Complainant, the Federal Republic of Nigeria intends that the criminal charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/654/2025, Between the Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs. Amb. Nwannebuike Ominyi 1 Ors., pending before this Honourable Court to be discontinued for purpose of further investigation.

“By this Notice of Withdrawal/Discontinuance, the charge pending before this Honourable Court against the defendant be withdrawn,” the document stated.

Court adjourns matter
Ruling on the application after extensive arguments by representatives of the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief State’s Counsel, M. A. Oladunjoye and the Nigeria Police Force, Innocent Okorie, the trial Judge, Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia, adjourned the matter sine die (indefinitely) to enable the police more time to conclude investigations on petitions against the complainant, Ogai.

According to the court’s records of proceedings, the police prosecuting counsel, Innocent Kalu, has affirmed before the court that there was indeed a petition first written against the nominal complainant in the matter, Ogai that had been pending before the Ebonyi State Police Command which was yet to be investigated.

“And my Lord, that investigation has not been carried out by the Ebonyi State Police Command. So when the FCID brought the case file, we looked into it, and we discovered that actually there was a prima facie case against the defendant but later he now came up with this complaint that his own complaint has not been investigated.

“That was why the IG now directed the Director of Legal Services to look into the matter, via three petitions against the complainant. We write a letter of withdrawal, to discontinue the matter pending the conclusion of these investigations,” Kalu informed the court.

He further said the defendant had queried why the Police has not been able to investigate his own petitions since last year, saying his petition came first on the same matter.

After listening to both parties, Justice Ajumogobia adjourned the matter sine die to create room for investigation into the complainant’s initial petitions pending at Ebonyi State Police Command where attention on the matter has now shifted.

Further investigation reveals that Engr. Ogai has refused to honour several police invitation by FID and IGP legal department, but rather proceeded to file a fundamental human right suit in high court in Onueke Ebonyi State.

In Suit No HNK/23/2026, Engr. Ogai is asking the court to stop the police from investigating him.