Money laundering charges have been dropped against a former World Cup footballer at the centre of a police probe in Scotland.
Nigerian midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha, who starred for Bolton Wanderers and Paris Saint-Germain, appeared in court in Aberdeen.
The 46-year-old faced two charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act at a private hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last May.
It followed a major investigation concerning alleged acquisition, use, possession and transferring of criminal property.
Inquiries began in 2015 and spanned two years before charges were brought against Okocha and six others concerning alleged fraud related to businesses in north-east Scotland.
But yesterday prosecutors confirmed they are no longer pursuing the case against the former English top-flight ace.
The decision comes after the same proceedings called at Aberdeen Sheriff Court against two other men, Bashiru Sadoh and Peter Ogbummor.
Sadoh, 46, of Oldham, and Ogbummor, 39, of Aberdeen, deny various charges of fraud involving more than £350,000 and possession of and transferring criminal property by moving around money obtained through fraud.
The Crown said the case should only proceed against the two accused, Bashiru Sadoh and Peter Ogbummor.
