In a landmark ruling that brings closure to a protracted legal saga, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has dismissed defamation charges against renowned whistleblower and anti-corruption advocate, Dr. George Uboh. The charges stemmed from allegations he made in 2019 against then-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
The case, which had lingered in the courts for over six years, was formally struck out by Justice A. I. Akobi on grounds of prosecutorial non-diligence. The court noted that despite multiple adjournments and proper service of hearing notices, the prosecution repeatedly failed to appear, prompting the defense to invoke Section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Dr. Uboh, who had consistently maintained his innocence, expressed relief at the ruling. “This is not just a personal victory,” he said outside the courtroom, “but a win for every Nigerian who dares to speak truth to power.”
The charges were originally filed after Dr. Uboh publicly accused Mr. Emefiele of financial misconduct, including alleged collusion with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to divert public funds. His arrest and subsequent detention in 2019 sparked national debate over the treatment of whistleblowers and the state of press freedom in Nigeria.
Legal analysts have hailed the dismissal as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s independence and a potential turning point in the protection of whistleblowers. “This ruling sends a strong message that justice cannot be perpetually delayed,” said constitutional lawyer Ifeoma Okonkwo.