The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the plea bargain case between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, to July 25, following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
At Friday’s hearing, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that discussions on the out-of-court settlement were stalled due to the absence of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who was unable to meet with other parties amid the national mourning period.
Jacobs revealed that the AGF had instructed him to request a short adjournment to allow for further consultations. None of the defence counsel, including Mr. Mathew Onoja and Michael Aondoaka (SAN), objected to the request.
Justice Peter Lifu, in his ruling, granted the application and acknowledged the federal government’s declaration of a seven-day mourning period, postponing the case to July 25.
The EFCC is prosecuting Nyako, his son Abdulaziz, and others over allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, money laundering, and the diversion of over N29 billion from the Adamawa State treasury between 2011 and 2014.
The commission alleges the funds were laundered through five companies — Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited, and Crust Energy Limited — and used to develop estates in Abuja.
The funds, purportedly earmarked as security votes, were allegedly placed under the control of Ma’aji Iro, a former Regional Manager of Zenith Bank, and sequentially withdrawn for private use — in violation of Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
The Court of Appeal had in January 2022 dismissed Nyako and his co-defendants’ appeals seeking to stop the trial, affirming that the EFCC had established a prima facie case that required the defendants to enter their defence.
With settlement discussions still ongoing, both parties are expected to return to court later this month to provide updates on the plea bargain process.
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