CSO Writes AGF, Seeks Probe Of DPPF Over “Frivolus” Charges Against Businessman, Lawyer

A civil society group, Federation for Truth and Justice has called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to investigate the activities of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, Mohammed Abubakar Babadoko.

The group, in a letter dated February 25, 2025 is asking the AGF to use his office to probe the relationship between the DPPF and one Asabe Waziri, a staff of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL

According to the letter, signed by the leader of the group, Comrade Henry Owolabi, the activities of the DPPF regarding the case of a businessman, Cecil Osakwe and his Counsel, Mr Victor Giwa calls for probe.

He said in the letter, “Our attention has been brought to many alleged illegal, and suspicious activities been perpetrated by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mohamned Abubakar in the Ministry of Justice.

“It has come to our attention that Mr Abubakar, whom hereafter we shall refer to him as DPP is believed to be abusing his office by using his office to intimidate, persecute and threaten perceived opponents of his cronies, in this case one, Asabe Waziri, a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCLTD).

“Sir, the DPP has with a clear intention to intimidate Asabe Waziri ‘s opponents, framed and filed two charge sheets against one Cecil Osakwe and one Charge sheet against Cecil Osakwe and his Counsel, Victor GIWA, for standing up to opposed DPP’s illegal action against his client.

“The charges are Charge No: CR/244/2022 at the FCT High Court, Charge N0: FHC/ABJ/CR/331/2022 at the Federal High Court and the latest is Charge N0: CR/222/2023 in the FCT High Court, Abuja.

“Curiously, sir, these charges against Cecil Osakwe, a businessman and his Counsel where framed by the DPP, with the intention of weaponizing the charges against Cecil Osakwe and force him to conceded to Asabe Waziri’s reliefs which she could not get in civil courts.

Sir, the subject of the disputes between Asabe Waziri and Cecil Osakwe is the proposed purchase of 2 blocks of flats from Cecil’s Osakwe property -Abeh Signature Apartment in Maitama, Abuja.
Asabe has proposed to purchased the two flats at a purchase price of two hundred and sixty million naira (260,000,000) and made a fifty million deposit, after which was given possession.”

He said shortly after taking possession, there were issues which led to management of the property to terminate the sales agreement.

“The management of the Property decided to terminate the contract with Asabe and refund her deposit. Asabe Waziri insisted on remaining in the property and vowed to deal with Cecil Osakwe.

“The matter was submitted to the FCT High Court before his Lordship Hon Justice Othman Musa, who terminated the transaction and ordered that Asabe Waziri be refunded her deposit including her agency and legal fees and vacate the premises.

“Inspite of the Court Order, Asabe Waziri refused to vacate the premises and subsequently Court Order was enforced against her.

“Surprisingly, the DPP framed and filed the first charge against Cecil Osakwe, accusing him of collecting money from Asabe under false pretense on a property Asabe Waziri stayed for over two years before she was vacated.

“DPP has continued to use the charges against Cecil Osakwe to negotiate Asabe re-entry to the premises even after Cecil Osakwe lodged an appeal against the Court of Appeal decision, setting aside the trial’s court judgement.

“Honourable Minister sir, it based on the allegations of abuse of office, official corruption and bribery that we make the following demands:”That you cause the withdrawal of the Charge no /222/2023 against Cecil Osake and his Council Victor Giwa in the High Court of the FCT for been obtained through money inducement by Asabe Waziri through one Matthew Una of the DPP.

“That you investigate the attempted bribery in dollars by DPP through his agent Matthew Una of an FCT High Court Judge who refused that bribe to arraign Cecil Osakwe”.