The Federal Government has refutes entering into a N50 billion planned non-prosecution plea bargain with the former Governor of the Central Bank, Mister Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele was reported to have engaged in a plea bargain with the government, under the condition of surrendering N50 billion for his early release from the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS).
This plea bargain was purportedly aimed at halting the trial of the former CBN Governor on various charges including money laundering, violation of the Public Procurement Act, and abuse of office.
However, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, categorically denied the existence of any plea bargain deal. Fagbemi stated that neither his office nor the presidency has been involved in any such arrangement with Emefiele.
The Nigerian government’s position on the matter was released to the public in a statement from Mrs. Modupe Ogundoro, the Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
“The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non- prosecution plea bargain arrangement,” the statement partly read.
“The report further alleges that Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement and that the agreement is awaiting the signature of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby states clearly that these reports are completely false.”
“It would be noted that the legal team representing Mr. Godwin Emefiele had expressed their intention in court at the last hearing to initiate a plea bargain arrangement.”
“However, no such arrangement has been reached with Mr. Godwin Emefiele or his representatives. We wish to advise the media and members of the public to kindly disregard the said false report.”
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will continue to take all actions in the interest of the Nigerian public.”