The Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the hearing on the ongoing plea bargain discussions between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, to July 25.
During proceedings on Friday, EFCC lead counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the court that discussions could not progress due to the recent passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which disrupted scheduled meetings involving the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and other parties.
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Jacobs explained that the AGF had asked for a brief adjournment to enable the parties to finalize the negotiation.
Representing Nyako, Mr. Mathew Onoja, alongside other defence lawyers, did not oppose the request. Justice Peter Lifu, taking note of the non-objection and the national seven-day mourning period, granted the adjournment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that both parties had been in talks to resolve the matter outside the courtroom.
Confirming the development, Nyako’s counsel, Michael Aondoaka (SAN), said the negotiations had made considerable progress, expressing optimism for an amicable conclusion.
Nyako and his son, Abdulaziz, are facing multiple charges filed by the EFCC, including criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and laundering of over N29 billion between 2011 and 2014. Other co-defendants include Zulkifikk Abba and Abubakar Aliyu.
The prosecution alleges that the stolen funds were funneled through companies such as Blue Opal Ltd, Sebore Farms, Pagoda Fortunes Ltd, Tower Assets Management, and Crust Energy Ltd.
It was further alleged that the funds were used to invest in real estate developments in Abuja, disguised as security spending, with bank official Ma’aji Iro overseeing the transactions on their behalf at Zenith Bank.
The appellate court, in a January 2022 ruling, upheld the trial court’s decision requiring the defendants to present their defence, having dismissed their appeal which sought to overturn the ruling based on a no-case submission.
Justice Okon Abang previously ruled in July 2021 that the prosecution had established a case that necessitated answers from the accused.
 and former Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, to July 25.){kind=link}