Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has withdrawn as prosecution counsel from the case of alleged fraud against a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission gave Keyamo the mandate to prosecute the case.
But on Monday, Keyamo said he would no longer continue as prosecution counsel.
In a letter to the EFCC, the lawyer gave no reasons for the decision to withdraw from the case with charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2012 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Timipre Sylva.
Keyamo said his reasons were personal and would not want to disclose them.
He wrote in the letter: “Kindly recall that sometime in 2012, the Commission briefed my Chambers to prosecute CHARGE NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/23/2012; BETWEEN: THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA V. TIMIPRE SYLVA. Since then, we have diligently prosecuted the Charge and successful opposed the bid of the accused person to quash the Charge in limine. The court ruled in our favour for the trial to commence and the Court of Appeal also refused to stay proceedings in the trial.
“However, certain recent developments (in respect of which I would prefer not to elaborate) have necessitated my decision to withdraw from further prosecution of the said Charge. This is because these recent developments may hamper my effective, efficient and vigorous prosecution of the Charge, duties that are expected of every prosecutor.
Permit me, therefore, to return the case files to the Commission for re-assignment to another counsel for due prosecution.
“Kindly note that the trial of the case has been fixed for the 25th of May, 2015.”
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