The Office of the Inspector-General of Police has filed a notice of withdrawal in the criminal charge instituted against a Nigerian businessman, Austin Albert, and another defendant before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

The withdrawal notice was filed in an amended charge marked FHC/LAG/CR/388/2026, which was pending before Justice Ahmed Ibrahim Kala.

In the charge, Albert and Jinadu Musbau Olalekan were listed as first and second defendants respectively.

In a notice of withdrawal and discontinuance dated July 24, 2026, the police indicated that it was withdrawing the charge against all the defendants.

The notice, filed pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, stated that the decision followed the emergence of “certain facts” while the case was pending.

According to the prosecution, the development necessitated the discontinuance of the matter to allow for further findings.

The notice reads 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.”

The notice did not disclose the specific facts that informed the decision to withdraw the charge