A former Governor of Adamawa State, Rear Admiral Muritala Nyako, (Rtd) has opted for an out of court settlement in a N29 billion alleged fraud case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since 2015.
An indication to this effect emerged on Friday, at the Federal High Court in Abuja at the resumed the hearing of the ten-year-old corruption case against the former governor.
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 adding that, 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 the matter.
“If we get a week’s adjournment, we will be able to resolve this,” Jacobs expressed optimism.
Counsel to Nyako, Chief Michael Aondoaka, SAN confirmed to the court that discussions have 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) and Minister of Justice said, he was positive that the matter would be resolved amicably.
Based on 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 is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside his son, Abdul-Aziz on charges of criminal conspiracy and abuse of office to the tune of N29 billion.
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 again start afresh before Justice Peter Lifu following the elevation of Justice Abang to the Court of Appeal in 2023.
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