AGF ‘Signs’ Emefiele’s Non-Prosecution Plea Bargain, Awaits Tinubu’s Approval – Investigation

 

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, has reportedly signed the non-prosecution plea bargain of the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that Emefiele is facing 20 counts of conspiracy and procurement fraud levelled against him by the Nigerian government.

However, the trial of the former CBN boss was stalled at the High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following his plan to enter into plea bargaining to get soft-landing.

The medium learnt that the non-prosecution plea bargain for Emefiele was being premised upon the former governor’s willingness to return N50 billion, which he had allegedly corruptly amassed.

According to SaharaReporters, lawyers involved in the case disclosed that Emefiele has opted to enter into plea bargaining with the prosecution team.

“The matter is not coming up; they are finding another way to resolve the matter and give him soft-landing.

“They are moving to negotiate plea bargaining,” one of the lawyers had said.

A top source privileged to the matter revealed to the news platform that the AGF has signed the plea and awaits President Bola Tinubu’s approval.

The source said. “The exclusive deal has been finalised awaiting Tinubu’s order. Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria this weekend after a medical visit to France. The DSS traced N72 billion to a series of accounts which Emefiele had planned to use for his Presidential run. Also, the $70 million he hid with a couple who specialised in helping him to do round-tripping was discovered.

“The federal investigators have traced the ownership of Polaris bank to Emefiele. As well as several other banks he used people to set up.”

It would, however, be recalled that the DSS in July reportedly arrested the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos and Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Aminu Yaro, and his wife, Saadatu Yaro, in connection with investigations into Emefiele’s infractions.

• Yusuf Oketola