The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn and discontinued a criminal charge filed against businessman Austin Albert and another defendant before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The withdrawal was contained in a notice filed in respect of the amended charge marked FHC/LAG/CR/388/2026, before Justice Ahmed Ibrahim Kala.
Austin Albert and Jinadu Musbau Olalekan were listed as the first and second defendants in the case.
In the notice dated July 24, 2026, the police said it was withdrawing the charge against all the defendants, citing the emergence of “certain facts” while the matter was still pending before the court.
The notice was filed pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as well as the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
However, the police did not disclose the specific facts or developments that prompted the decision to discontinue the case.
Rather, it indicated that the withdrawal was necessary to allow for “further findings,” suggesting that the matter could be subject to additional investigation or review.
The notice, signed on behalf of the prosecution, stated that the complainant was withdrawing and discontinuing the case against the defendants generally, pending the outcome of the findings.
It read in part:
“Notice is hereby given of the prosecutor’s withdrawal of this charge generally against the defendants in view of the fact that while the charge was pending, certain facts emerged that requires the withdrawal and discontinuance of the matter for further findings.
“Hence, the Complainant hereby withdraws and discontinue this case against the Defendants generally pending the outcome of the findings please.”
The development brings the current criminal charge before the Federal High Court to an end for now, while the police’s reference to further findings leaves the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal open to further clarification.
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