Ex-Governor of Adamawa State, Rear Admiral Muritala Nyako (retd.), has agreed to an out-of-court settlement in a N29bn alleged fraud case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since 2015.
Audit report: N210trn has yet to be accounted for by NNPCL – Senate
An indication to this effect emerged on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja during the hearing of the ten-year-old corruption case.
At Friday’s proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that both parties were currently in discussions to ensure an amicable settlement of the case.
According to the senior lawyer, by the next adjourned date, the two parties should be able to resolve all the details of the settlement so that the court can dispose of this matter.
“If we get a week’s adjournment, we will be able to resolve this,” Jacobs expressed optimism.
Counsel to Nyako, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoaka, SAN, confirmed to the court that discussions had reached an advanced stage for an out-of-court settlement in the alleged fraud case.
Aondoaka, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, said he was positive that the matter would be resolved amicably.
Based on the agreement of lawyers, the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, fixed July 18 for the former governor and the anti-graft agency to file a report of settlement.
Admiral Nyako, who is the husband of Justice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja division, is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside his son, Abdul-Aziz, on charges of criminal conspiracy and abuse of office to the tune of N29bn.
Others standing trial along with them are two companies, Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd and Pagado Fortunes Ltd, as well as Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd, and Crust Energy Ltd.
The trial, which began on July 8, 2015, before Justice Evoh Chukwu, was started afresh on September 12, 2016, before Justice Okon Abang following the death of Justice Chukwu on June 8, 2016, after the EFCC had called five witnesses to establish its case.
The trial had to start afresh before Justice Peter Lifu, on the elevation of Abang to the Court of Appeal in 2023.
READ ALSO:
Gunmen invade Seminary, kill NSCDC officer, abduct three students
Villa rat invasion story was a cover for Buhari’s illness — Garba Shehu
US introduces $250 visa integrity fee for workers, students, others
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
,%20has%20agreed%20to%20an%20out-of-court%20settlement%20in%20a%20N29bn%20alleged%20fraud%20case...){kind=link}