AGF Approves Prosecution of Andy Uba Over Alleged N400m Fraud

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has granted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the green light to prosecute former senator Andy Uba over an alleged N400 million fraud. The development was revealed during a court session on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where A.M. Abdullahi, counsel to the IGP, informed Justice Mohammed Umar that the case had been reviewed by the AGF’s office, which then directed the police to proceed with prosecution.

The case, originally handled by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was reassigned to Justice Umar following Ekwo’s suspension by the National Judicial Council. Uba is standing trial alongside Benjamin Etu, while a third suspect, Hajiya Fatima, is said to be at large. Charges against a previously named co-defendant, Crystal Uba, were dropped in an amended charge filed on March 4.

According to the charge, Uba, Etu, and Fatima allegedly conspired in 2022 to fraudulently obtain N400 million from George Uboh by falsely claiming they could secure the appointment of a managing director for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone willing to pay the amount. The prosecution described the representation as knowingly false, constituting an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.

The case against Uba was strengthened by a petition submitted by Uboh to the IGP in April 2023, which included documentary evidence and voice recordings. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), M.B. Abubakar, in a letter dated May 8, confirmed that a prima facie case had been established against Uba, Etu, and Fatima, while noting that there was no evidence linking Crystal Uba to the alleged fraud.

At Monday’s hearing, only Etu and his lawyer, C.F. Odiniru, were present. Odiniru informed the court that Uba was receiving medical treatment abroad and argued that the matter had already been settled, stating that the money in question had been refunded. However, the prosecution contested Uba’s absence, pointing out that no medical documents had been submitted to back the claim.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter to September 24, 2025, for the defendants to enter their plea.