By Ayo Yusuf
Reports that the federal government may have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement with the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been denied by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
Media speculations had indicated that Emefiele will soon walk away from his troubles after agreeing to refund about N50bn as part of monies allegedly misappropriated during his nine-year reign as head of the apex bank.
The former CBN governor and his associates were slated for arraignment at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, in August over allegations that they perpetrated a N6.9bn procurement fraud.
To date, the case has been stalled, fueling speculations he had entered into a plea bargain arrangement with the Federal Government on the matter.
A report recently claimed that Mr. Emefiele and the Federal Government represented by the AGF had signed a plea bargain agreement and the signature of President Bola Tinubu was being awaited to complete the process.
However, in a statement on Sunday by the Ministry of Justice spokesperson, Modupe Ogundoro, the AGF described the report as false.
The AGF said no such agreement exists between his office and the embattled former CBN governor.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to reports alleging that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement.
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby state clearly that these reports are completely false.
“It should be noted that the legal team representing Godwin Emefiele had expressed its 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.”
