An Ikeja High Court on Monday discharged and acquitted Deji Abiola, second son of the late politician, Chief MKO Abiola, of a N35.5 million theft charge preferred against him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abiola was discharged by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) decided to withdraw the case against him.
The EFCC had on June 30, 2011 arraigned him for allegedly stealing N35.5 million belonging to a Lagos-based printer, Mr Jide Jose.
The anti-graft agency had claimed that he stole the money under the pretext of helping the complainant to import printing machines from Switzerland.
However on Monday, EFCC prosecutor, Mr Omeiza Adebola, informed the court that the prosecution was withdrawing its case against Abiola because the complainant and defendant have agreed to settle the matter out of court.
Abiola's counsel, Chief Phillip Jimoh-Lasisi (SAN), did not oppose the application. He said that the matter had been resolved amicably between both parties.
The judge, in a short ruling, discharged and acquitted Abiola of the one-count charge of theft.
He said: “The accused is hereby discharged and acquitted.
“This is following the application filed by the prosecution (EFCC) dated July 2, 2012, notifying the court of its intention to withdraw the charge, after an amicable agreement was reached between the accused and the complainant”.